As counselors... I have to tell you, communication is everything! But, as a counselor I should warn you, that it can be one of the harder things we deal with in our lives, and quite possibly the BIGGEST reason people seek therapy, they either need to talk, have no one to talk to, no one listens, or they don't feel that they are being heard (sometimes that is because they are poor communicators.) Sometimes talking to our young people feels difficult, either due to age (since our kids think we are ancient!), point of view differences, or just not understanding their emotions.
Would You Rather questions is a fun way to communicate, there are different types for different ages, or levels (heads up, some questions can be gross!)
Here are some activities that can help facilitate that process!
Boundaries
Building Trust
Spending Time Together