Often, the best way to frame a concern is by making an “I” statement: “When you do X, I feel Y.” And don’t automatically replace the Y with “angry.” When you dig a little deeper, angry feelings toward your child are frequently rooted in fear and worry. For example, you might say, “When you don’t come home on time, I feel worried about you.” This communication helps your teen understand that your reaction is based on deep concern for the safety of your child.
