by PhilWolff on Flickr

Charlie Brown’s teacher was famous for her “whaaa-whaaa-whaaa” method of communication, which teens masterfully tune out. Adding a visual component to family communications helps teens be more present in phone conversations while observing healthy relationship and communication skills.

Be an eParent®! Model healthy relationship skills by establishing a regular Google Hangout or Skype night with relatives, like grandparents or aunts and uncles.

Although teens’ sensory abilities fully develop early, the more complex processing and reasoning skills (key to conversation) don’t develop until the later teenage years. Online video chatting allows you to see as well as hear a conversation, which might help engage your teen more fully in important conversations with family members.

Going the extra mile to encourage these conversations is valuable! Grandparents and other family members are central to the development of teens’ identity, morals and beliefs.  By using free web chat programs to connect with relatives and other adults important to your family, your teen will be exposed to your family history and the perspectives of trusted adults. The patterns you model now will be the patterns your teen will use as an adult!

You may enjoy our video showing a family Skype night with grandparents.

To learn more contact UW-Extension Family Living Programs or like Family Living on Facebook.