• Avoid jumping to unnecessary conclusions
• Avoid teasing us about boyfriends or girlfriends
• Be open.  Try to be more of a friend than a ruler.
• Realize that we are growing up.  Let us be ourselves.
• Talk to us as if we are intelligent.
• Show that listening to us is really important to you.
• Find time to give 100% of your attention to us.
• Realize that we want to be responsible for ourselves.
• Trust us to handle some of the family responsibility.
• Don’t expect us to treat you like and adult when you are acting like a child.
• Understand that our appearance is important to us and that we have our own unique fashion ideas
• Don’t assume that all teenagers are rebellious and have an attitude.  Many adults look down on us and expect the worst.
• Don’t embarrass us in front of our friends.  The safest thing is to not say anything unless you absolutely have to.

Tips contributed by: Tina Foster, Justin Osle, Virginia Shook, & Joey Leonard

Encouragement: A publication by Angela DiCicco and Gail Signor