by Kathleen Cushman
RespectGoes BothWays
“How we listen and talk to kids, what you take for granted, whether you come down hard at the wrong moment – all these things let them know if you respect them as you expect them to respect you.”
“Kids know when you are really listening, and they highly resent it when you’re not...They particularly hate it when you deny them the chance to respond...The art of listening well can make or break the outcome of conflicts between you and a teenager. Little thingsthe expression on your face, taking time to think things over - matter a lot.”
Teenageras Volunteer
“If volunteer jobs involve service, they not only expand teenagers’ horizons but also let them contribute something of value to their community, increasing their sense that what they do makes a difference.”
“Shaming teenagers for slipping up only stops them from talking openly with you about what they value and how they act on those values. Kids also can’t help noticing how different adult responses can be when the miscreant’s shoe is on the other foot.”
