Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, said on April 27 that effective conflict resolution skills are essential for parents navigating disagreements with their teenagers. Bennett explained that most conflicts arise over rules, boundaries, and expectations as children seek more independence during their teen years.
Bennett said these disputes can be about grades, chores, curfews, or concerns about friends and relationships. She noted that unresolved conflicts can lead to emotional isolation for both parents and teens. “Sometimes we think we have it figured out, but the conflict gets bigger,” Bennett said. “Kids can isolate themselves. Parents can even isolate themselves. We feel big emotions about what the kid is doing or not doing. Sometimes it can feel like direct disrespect. We start focusing on the child’s character. We forget sometimes that they’re just kids.” She added that some young people may turn to risky behaviors or leave home if family tensions remain high.
Bennett advised parents to focus on building relationships rather than asserting authority during conflicts. “Kids really want to be heard. They really like consistency,” she said. She encouraged parents to listen actively and validate their children’s feelings by asking questions such as: “What was going through your mind when that was happening to you? How did you work through this problem?” Bennett suggested sharing perspectives and finding compromises together.
She also highlighted the importance of parental accountability: “Kids are going to learn just as much when you step back,” Bennett said. “Words like: ‘I came to you out of frustration… I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings… It was out of fear.’”
If daily life becomes difficult due to ongoing parent-teen conflicts, Bennett recommended seeking help from a mental health professional individually or together with the child for additional strategies and support.
OSF HealthCare contributes to community well-being by offering health guidance, safety tips and expert insights on diseases and preventive care through its newsroom according to the official website. The organization encompasses a network of 17 hospitals along with urgent-care locations and clinics in Illinois and Michigan according to the official website. OSF HealthCare aims to provide compassionate care through clinical initiatives while serving both urban and rural communities according to the official website. As an integrated nonprofit system managing hospitals, clinics, urgent-care centers and physician practices under one ministry dedicated to community service according to the official website, OSF offers services including emergency care; cancer treatment; heart services; neurological support; primary medicine; mental health care; as well as digital options via OSF OnCall according to the official website.
Looking ahead, resources such as behavioral health navigators and support groups at OSF hospitals are available even for those who are not current patients.
