Need to have a tough talk with your teen? Here is what parents can do.

Do you need to have a tough talk with your teen? Here are some things to remember as a parent, says Sarah Menard, a therapist with Teen Triple P (the Positive Parenting Program) at Center for Family Services. Teen Triple P is free for Palm Beach County families.

First, remember to stay calm, Menard says. Your teen may try to push your buttons or they may say something that upsets you. If you get upset, your teen may shut down.
Keep in mind, this is not about having just one conversation. This is about building an ongoing dialogue.

Avoid making judgmental statements. Avoid those "but" statements like: "You tried, but..."

Ask how you can help. Offer support. Make sure your teen knows you have their back.

And when you are going to have a tough talk, don't just spring it on your teen, Menard says. Let them know in advance what you want to talk about so they have a chance to organize their thoughts.

If you are having problems talking with your teen, there's Teen Triple P, a FREE program for Palm Beach County families that offers one-on-one sessions to address teen behavior and issues. The program is designed to strengthen the parent-child relationship and create an open line of communication.

Teen Triple P works with you and your teen to establish expectations and consistency. The goal is to create a more peaceful home with less stress and less yelling. The program is available in English, Spanish and Creole.

Want to learn more about Teen Triple P? Call Center for Family Services at 561-616-1222.

Teen Triple P is offered through Center for Family Services and funded by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County.

For more helpful Palm Beach County parenting tips, download the FREE EveryParent app via the Apple and Google Play Store.

Connect with Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County on Social Media:

Follow us on Instagram @cscpbc

#everyparentpbc #positiveparenting #parentingtips #teentriplep