Tips Teaching Youth To Be Open To Parents

Illustration (Kat left/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Child and Youth Clinical Psychologist, Vera Itabiliana Hadiwidjojo, S.Psi said that frequent chats and discussions will make children more open to their parents. Not all children, especially teenagers, want to share stories with their parents.

Fear of being judged, scolded and given a lecture are several reasons why teenagers are reluctant to tell about their activities or problems. Vera said that from an early age parents must get used to sharing stories with each other. If not done, this habit will make children closed in the future.

According to Vera, the most appropriate way to make children share stories with their parents is to have a chat every day and learn to listen.

"So more often chat 5-10 minutes a day, often have time alone with this child, and learn to listen more," said Vera as she sleeps on Friday, September 16. Furthermore, Vera said that children will have more emotions when they are young.

Parents also tend to get carried away by emotions because they cannot understand their child's feelings. This anger will be understood by the child that their parents are not a good place to talk. According to Vera, at times like this, parents are better at positioning themselves as listeners. If asked for advice, then give an opinion.

"Remaja is a place for emotions, they are still learning to manage it. So as parents we accommodate it first, often parents immediately get angry when their children tell stories," he said.

"What is needed is the emotion that comes out so that he can think and often the solution comes when chatting. This must be done in installments, slowly can't be done directly," continued Vera.

However, if the child is already closed, the most important thing to do is to improve the relationship between the child and the parent. Parents are also prohibited from blaming their child for being open. Slowly, relaxed and fun communication must be done.

"If children who are already closed, it means that there is a bad connection between parents and children, that must be corrected and don't immediately correct children, children will not accept it," said Vera.