If you want a teen to respect you, engage them with genuine curiosity. Give them air time to share their perspectives and opinions and genuinely spend time considering what they have to say. They will surprise you with some of their insights and they will see you as an ally to their maturing process instead of another adult talking at them.
Model for them your own consent process, and help them deeply understand the nuance of desire
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In this video, learn why it's important to focus on soothing and supporting kids' emotions before trying to teach them, as strong emotions take energy away from the brain's thinking and processing areas, and how you can use co-regulation and language to help them grow once they've calmed down. Remember to "Connect before you correct," as Dr. Karyn Purvis said.
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Learn the benefits of playing make believe with your kids, how it helps their brains and your bond with them, and get fun ideas for make believe scenarios to try, including playing wild animals on the way to lunch and defending a castle against stinky underwear, in this insightful video.
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