Communication is an essential ingredient in any relationship to survive and THRIVE! During the teen years communication can escalate (often in tumultuous ways) or decelerate (into silence). As teens begin to claim independence, parents often feel shunned. We want to feel that they need us, want us, and love us. They don’t always know how to express that, perhaps causing us to take it personally. This can lead to a vicious cycle spiraling out of control into a turbulent and chaotic few years.