Parenting children at any age can be tough if there is no mutual understanding and commitment. Many conducting surveys have concluded that parents have a harder time when their children are from the age of twelve to fourteen. It might be because of issues with identity, dating, and friends. Not only with these issues but also with disagreements such as curfew and social restrictions, choice of friends, school performance, dating, clothes, and makeup. So, how do you talk to your teens?

According to Medicine Net, Dan Brennan, MD, a medical reviewer suggests talking to the teen indirectly is better than talking directly to them. “How’d you do on the quiz?” for example, can come across as too much. Actively listening seems to make the teens feel safe enough to tell you what’s going on and ask for advice when they need it. According to Doctor Brennan, some reasonable limits need to be set such as respect for privacy—don’t snoop on your child’s calls or texts, but make sure you know where they are at all times; quality time—set aside time away from work and other responsibilities to give your child full attention; limit screens—limit screen time and set curfews on technology use to encourage good sleep; and internet safety—talk to your child about the dangers of social media and teach them to be internet savvy. [1]

Active listening is a gift that God granted to all our mothers. Mother learns to listen to her child when he or she was still in the womb. She learns when the child is upset or happy. She learns when the child is hungry or sleepy. When she gives birth to her child is the most joyous moment in her life. She increases her listening skill by raising her child from the moment he or she opens the womb throughout his or her life. It is a tremendous gift that God granted to our mother, the gift of actively listening. What have we, children, done to deserve our mother’s care? How should we repay her for her care and for actively listening to our concerns and many things in our life? Just as Jesus reminds his disciples and each one of us reported in today’s Gospel that his sheep hears his voice, we are reminded to hear our mother since she was the one who conceived us, carried us in her womb, and raised us to be who we are now.

To our deceased mothers, make an active novena to pray for the repose of their souls. To our living mothers, love them and present them a gift of listening, but above all is to pray for her well-being to continue to journey with us in this walk of life. The decision is yours.

Happy Mother’s Day