slide 1: Website- https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/ Phone No- 905 319-1488
How to Deal with Teens That Want to
Avoid Conflict
slide 2: Website- https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/ Phone No- 905 319-1488
Dealing with a teenager whose reaction to conflict with their
parents is to lock themselves in their room can be stressful for
the entire family. Learning how to address conflict in a
productive manner with your teen can help open
communications between you two and work towards
overcoming conflict when it arises.
There can be different reasons why teens attempt to avoid
conflict with their parents. Some of the more common reasons
could include:
1.Their parents yell and scream. Yelling and screaming are
counterproductive. It can cause teens to want to retreat from the
situation rather than work towards resolving the actual problem.
It is better to use a soft calm yet firm voice.
slide 3: Website- https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/ Phone No- 905 319-1488
2.Their parents never admit when they are were
wrong. Teens will be less reluctant to address conflict when
their parents cannot even admit to them they were wrong. When
parents can admit they were wrong it lets teens know their
parents are willing to take blame.
3.Their parents insult them while arguing. Tossing around
insults can by hurtful and make your teen shut down further. No
matter how much you want to don ’t do this. Instead keep the
focus on the issue at hand.
4.Their parents won ’t give them space during a
conflict. Teens often need space to process and think for a
moment. Not allowing them space can make them want to avoid
conflict even more.
5.Their parents won ’t allow them to get a word in. If you take
control of the argument and never give your teen a chance to
present their side of the issue then they will remain silent since
they will want to avoid the conflict and just get the disagreement
over with. It is important to learn how to give them an
opportunity to voice their concerns too.
6.Their parents automatically assume and make accusations
they are wrong. Everyone is human including teenagers and
everyone make mistakes. Parents should try not to assume or
make accusations. It is better let your teen present their side of
the issues and then work towards a resolution instead of
focusing on assumptions and accusations.
slide 4: Website- https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/ Phone No- 905 319-1488
7.Their parents take a defensive stance. When you are already
defensive it can do more harm than good. Your teen is already
defensive because they dislike conflict so taking a defensive
stance will just cause them to put up more “walls. ”
8.Their parents only point out what is wrong. Starting a
conversation with your teen where you jump directly to what is
wrong is not the best way to help them deal with conflict.
Rather start off by pointing out something positive they did
then transition to the problem. Make sure to end the discussion
on a positive note too like telling then you care about them
respect them or understand their point of view.
At Bayridge Counselling Centres we help parents learn how to
deal with teenagers who dislike conflict and teach families how
to overcome this issue in a productive manner. Please feel free
to contact us at 905-319-1488 to schedule an appointment today
Source- https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/deal-with-
teens-want-to-avoid-conflict/