Learning To Listen So That Teens Will Talk: A Sample Letter

Dear Sean:

Your father and I are writing this letter to you because the last time we tried to bring up this subject, the three of us ended up having an argument instead of working to solve the problem.

Dad and I are concerned that you are spending too much time with Danielle. We know that you care about her very much. We happen to like her too. But since the two of you started going out, your grades have fallen drastically, and we feel that you have been neglecting your schoolwork and other responsibilities.

We know what it’s like to date in high school, and we’re not asking you to stop seeing Danielle. But we do want to sit down with you and work out a reasonable schedule. We’d like to suggest the following: weekends and one night during the week. Please give this some thought, and let’s talk about it in a day or two, when we’ve all had a chance to cool off.

We hope you know that we both love you and care about you very much.

Mom and Dad