Health Tip: Teens, Talk With Your Parents

(HealthDay News) - It may be difficult for teens to talk with their parents, but communicating openly and honestly is vital to a teen's physical and emotional health.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions to help teens and parents communicate:

• Schedule time every day to talk as a family. Share stories about your day, and talk about anything that's on your mind or bothering you.

• If you want your parents to know something, you need to tell them. They can't read your mind.

• If you're asking for something, be clear in stating what you want and why you're asking for it.

• Be patient. Try to stay calm and get along. Both parents and teens should learn to compromise.

• Make a list of things that you need to discuss, or changes that you would like to make.