Hoping Mother’s Day will open the door to some deep conversations with your teen? Talk this way.

1. Listen to the small stuff. That shows you can be trusted with the big stuff. Put down your iPad and pay attention when she moans about how science class sucks.

2. Pick the right time. Wait to tag your questions onto another activity like washing the dishes together or driving home from a baseball game.

3. Write notes. Are things tense? Write down why you’re angry or frustrated. Leave the letter in her room and ask her to write a response to make it less confrontational.

From the Working Mom Survival Guide, by Suzanne Riss and Teresa Palagano—
get it HERE.