If I were explaining “Why Won’t My Teen Talk to Me?” from a teen’s perspective, I’d put it like this:
A lot of the time, teens aren’t actually trying to hide anything. We just don’t know how to explain what’s going on inside. Growing up feels messy: school pressure, friends, identity, emotions that change every week. Sometimes we don’t even understand ourselves, so it’s hard to open up to someone else, even our parents.
The book basically says that teens pull back not because they don’t care, but because they’re trying to build space to think for themselves. When parents push too hard, or try to solve everything right away, it can feel overwhelming. But when parents stay calm, listen first, and give us a bit of room, we actually feel safer to talk.
What stood out to me is this: teens don’t need perfect parents. We just need parents who try — who don’t take silence personally, who still show support even when we seem distant.
It’s not about parents “fixing” us. It’s about walking with us while we figure things out.
A really thoughtful take — it captures so well what most teens feel but rarely say. You explain the push-and-pull between wanting space and wanting support in such a clear, honest way. I especially like how you highlight that silence isn’t rejection, just part of growing up. This perspective makes the parent-teen gap feel much more understandable and human.