The transition from being a young toddler, safely protected by their parents to an independent teenager is a real great challenge for your children. Worst, some may find themselves heading to the wrong roads of life where as parents it’s important to be there as their support during times of need.
The most common thing they like to do is to give one word answers. You can’t blame yourselves for not educating and bringing them up anymore proper when there are also outside influences to be taken account of. Neither can you blame them nor their friends for such an influence as it’s the natural transition that everyone has to go through but it’s the matter of how serious are each cases.
Some teenagers would most probably started the one word answers without realizing it and would be willing to cooperate with you to change their habit while some would most probably like the habit but eventually end up with lots of socializing issues later. No doubt when they are nervous they could also be giving the one word answer since it’s already their habit. Certain times, your teen might be busy with multi tasking to answer you and instead of pestering for an immediate answer, give them some time and get back to the question after a while or when their attention is back to you.
Frankly, who likes being given one word answers? It’s very rude at times and generally it’s to show how uninterested or frustrated your teens are about certain things. Yes, it’s irritating too especially when you’re trying to build a rapport with them during times when both you and your teen are doing an activity or simply having a meal. So, check out on situations that they are prone to give you the one word answer to know their discomfort and eventually find ways to help them speak up more.
It’s best to always have a talk session with every child of yours. This doesn’t have to be a serious table talk but during relaxing time like bed time or tea time. Some teens would refuse to tell at first but as you prompt them further, your teen will eventually think that you could help them and they would slowly ask you questions that reveal their problem when they are desperate for solutions/answers!
It’s also a very sensitive situation where you need to pay close attention to your emotions and your choice of words to not make the situation any worst for them in case your try outs ended in a rage. Think of various approaches before consulting them about their problems. Instead of asking questions, engage them on what you will be doing the whole day in a positive and interesting way.
It’s not a bad thing after all as you should explain to them on situations that they can use the one word answers and situations where they shouldn’t. In case they met a person let say a stranger they really dislike or is annoyed with other than family members and friends, they may choose to use the one word answers to ward them off as self defense to protect themselves from any unwanted events. Alternatively, teach them how to build up on a conversation to get it going while explaining to them the consequences of one word answers that is being a very unfriendly and dull person after all who would have very little friends only.
