AT HOME:

AT SCHOOL:

IN THE COMMUNITY:

IN YOUR CONGREGATION:

• Be available whenever and wherever your kids want to talk.
• When your kids want to talk, really listen.
• Ask your kids every day about what they are doing and thinking.
• Pick a topic to discuss as a family at dinner.
• Spend one hour a week with each child individually.
• The fewer topics you declare "off limits," the more your kids will talk to you.
• Be willing to talk in a place that's comfortable for your child.
• Ask your child's opinion or advice about something important.

• Include conversations with parents as part of homework assignments.
• Provide parents with information about how to respond to tough questions and address sensitive issues.
• Interact with students so they learn to interact with others.
• Help students develop a feelings vocabulary.

• Plan parent-teen events that encourage conversation-dinner, retreats, discussion groups.
• Provide families with conversation starter questions in the worship bulletin.
• Teach communication skills to young people and adults.
• Offer an "ear" for parents to talk to.