"Can We Talk?"-8 Ways to Connect with Your Teen Without the Tension

Why does it feel like the child who once couldn’t stop talking now only answers with a shrug, an eye roll, or a slammed door?
 If you’ve ever wondered “What happened to my chatty child?” or even whispered “Did I do something wrong?” — this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, Enda pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on when teens go quiet — and why silence doesn’t mean rejection. With warmth, honesty, and nearly three decades of experience walking alongside teenagers and their families, Enda shares eight simple, research-backed strategies that help you reconnect with your teen without turning every chat into a tug-of-war.

You’ll discover why timing, tone, body language, and even movement matter more than you think — and how curiosity can build trust where control builds walls. These aren’t quick fixes, but steady shifts that invite your teen to feel seen, safe, and understood.

If you’re tired of one-word answers and want more real conversations with your teenager, this episode will remind you: connection is still possible, even in the quiet seasons.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why adolescence isn’t rebellion — it’s brain rewiring
• What’s really behind the silence when your teen pulls away
• How posture, tone, and timing can open or close doors in conversations
• 8 practical strategies for connecting without the tension
• A gentle reminder that you don’t need to get it perfect — you just need to keep showing up

🌿 Mentioned in this episode:

• Frances Jensen — The Teenage Brain
• Dan Siegel — “Downstairs brain” vs. “Upstairs brain”
• Michael Reichert — How to Raise a Boy
•  Laura Markham — Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids
• Brené Brown — Daring Greatly

And before the episode wraps, Enda shares some personal news: her first-ever retreat for mums and school counsellors is happening in her homeland, the Seychelles — a space for breathing, balancing, and bridging the gap between letting go and holding on. Link in the show note👇🏾

✨ Reflective Questions for You

While listening, take a pause and ask yourself:

1. When my teen goes quiet, do I automatically assume it’s rejection — or could it be their way of seeking emotional safety?
2. How does my body language or tone of voice set the stage for connection — or for shutdown?
3. What “small shifts” in timing or setting could make conversations with my teen feel li

Reclaim Your Calm- A retreat for mothers raising tweens and teens, and for the professionals who walk alongside them. An in person one day retreat happening in the Seychelles on the 18th October👇🏾

https://mailchi.mp/endagilbert.com/reclaimyourcalmretreat

😊Ready to take your parent-teen relationship to the next level?

💕Check out the Parent-Teen Bond Builder Audit for a personalised roadmap designed for your unique family journey.👇🏾

https://endagilbert.com/parentteenbondbuilder/

📖 The 28-Day Self-Compassion Booster Journal is a gentle companion for parents of tweens and teens ready to replace guilt with grace, and burnout with balance. 👇🏾

https://mailchi.mp/endagilbert.com/selfcompassionjournal

🫂The BREATHE Response Technique a step-by-step method to prevent heated moments from escalating. FREE Download👇🏾

https://endagilbert.com/breathwork/

📖Transform your relationship with your teen through conflict-free boundaries. Download 'The FREE Ultimate Guide to Setting Boundaries MINUS the conflicts' 👇🏾

https://endagilbert.com/settingboundaries/

✨FOLLOW @endagilbertcoaching

LinkedIn @ Enda Gilbert

WEBSITE www.endagilbert.com

😊BOOK a 30 mins Complimentary Discovery Call👇🏾

https://endagilbert.com/schedule/