Consiglio: Do not use family sit down dinners to discuss potentially awkward or confrontational topics with your teenagers. Reserve this time for light banter about the activities of the day, encouragement, humor and matters of general interest.

If scolding, questioning over grades, discipline or other uncomfortable topics are raised at the dinner table, then young people will not want to participate. Use this time to connect in an easy going way and save the hard stuff for more private moments.