Pointers to Start a Conversation about School Violence with Your Teen

Talking to your teen may be one of your greatest challenges but when it comes to school violence, there is a serious need to have a conversation at least once in a while about what’s going on in the world around them. For many teens, such as the ones who are experiencing school violence around them in their own school, these types of conversations are a must. There is no reason to think that your teen is above or exempt from school violence and it is important for him or her to know that you are not just sympathetic but interested in making sure that they are safe at school.

For many teen students, the choice has become to take a gun or other weapon to school to protect themselves. While this is far from a solution, it is the only semblance of peace of mind that these teens feel they can have when they are forced to go to school with other teens that are also carrying weapons. Even unarmed, there is a potential for school violence that is so high for some teens that not going to school is a more realistic option.

If you have not had a conversation with your teen about school violence, now is a good time to start. Here are some pointers to help start a conversation about school violence with your teen:

    * Establish an open line of communication that isn’t just about school violence then your teen won’t feel like you’re confronting them.
    * Use a variety of ways to communicate such as text messaging, social networks, emails and face-to-face so that your teen is comfortable with contacting you as they see fit.
    * Incorporate humor into a serious conversation so that your teen does not feel bombarded or weighed down with a heavy subject.
    * Ask your teen to role play a scenario where they are you and are faced with school violence. Listen carefully to what is said.
    * Take time to talk to your teen about school violence and explain how it makes you feel. Show your human side.
    * Communicate an open door policy about school violence and let them know that you are always available.
    * Ask your teen to tell you about the resources they have available at school to help them deal with school violence. This will let you know the level of awareness and provide you with some ease of mind should they get into a violent situation at school.

These are just a few pointers that you can use to start a conversation with your teen. You are the best person to determine how to start a talk with your young person. Take their personality and conversation style into consideration before starting any conversation. Give them space to listen as well as to be heard.