Resist letting the urge to BE Right get in the way of the effort to BE Effective

Meta Communication

When you've noticed a negative pattern in your communication with your teen (or even your partner) the best time to address this NOT during an argument or when you see the pattern occuring, but at some other time of your chosing; when the other person is approachable and least likely to be defensive.
Communication about communication can be very effective in encouraging win/win scenarios and good faith negotiations. Effective communication takes at least two people to be willing to do something different so when you approach your adolescent be willing to say what you will do different as well as what you are hoping to see in them.