Listening to your teenagers helps them develop self-esteem and shows them that you care about what they’re thinking and feeling.  By modeling good listening skills to them, you are encouraging them to listen to others in the same ways. 

• Face your teen and look them in the eyes.
• Stop what you’re doing (washing the dishes, cleaning, etc.) and give them your full attention.
• Be attentive, and wait to speak until your teenager has finished speaking.
• Ask questions related to what is being said so that your teen knows you are listening.
• Put yourself in your teenager’s shoes.  Imagine yourself in the same situation.  This may help you get a feel for what your kids are going through.
• Use an appropriate tone of voice that fits the situation.  For example, if your teen is telling you about a great project she did that day, show enthusiasm.  If she is talking about a fight she had with her friend, show her compassion and sympathy.
• Acknowledge your teen’s feelings by saying such things as “I see,” or “I understand what you’re saying,” or “Oh…..”.
• Good listening doesn’t mean always agreeing with your teenager or letting them do whatever they want.  Teens must always learn about limits.
• When you don’t have time to listen at that moment, such as when you’re on the phone or you are trying to finish cooking dinner, ask your teenager to please wait until you’re done.  However, it’s then very important that you go to them as soon as you’re finished and ask them what they wanted to tell you.

Source:   Arizona Parent and Educational Resource Center