Do you find yourself criticizing your teen or young adult?

Do you find yourself criticizing your teen or young adult child often?  This can happen when you lose trust, even for a moment.  

Maybe you don’t agree with the friends they have chosen or how they are spending their time.  

The thing is, you don’t have to agree with everything they do in order to still have a close and loving relationship.

But when you criticize or even reject them, it not only makes your son or daughter feel like their views and feelings are not accepted, but it can over time divide your relationship.  

What can you do?  

1. Reframe criticism in a positive way – acknowledge the good rather than focusing on what you feel is the negative
2. Commit to maintaining an emotional connection no matter what
3. Instead of focusing on what is wrong, focusing on what is right 
4. Remember your relationship is something to be cherished

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