If you've ever had a door slammed in your face by your teenage son or daughter, you're well aware of the existence of seemingly random mood swings overtaking your home. While biology and hormones can explain a teen's moody behavior, one clinical psychologist and parenting author says there's usually another major factor also at play.
Dr. Shefali Tsabary, an advocate of "conscious parenting," tells an audience of parents in "Oprah's Lifeclass" that their own energy may be responsible for provoking their teen and causing him or her to shut down.
"Children only shut down because they're very intelligent beings," Shefali says. "They know that the energy that we are bringing into the room is unsavory."
What parents of teens should do, she suggests, is look inward next time they plan to approach their teenagers. It's as simple as asking yourself one simple question before knocking on that bedroom door.
"Instead of saying... 'Oh, my teen always shuts me out,' I always tell the parent, 'Well, what's the energy you're bringing while you knock on the door?'" Shefali says.
In many cases, this simple knock is very telling for teens. Shefali explains, "They sense that energy and they keep you out because they know you're coming with a heavy-duty, mind-lit energy versus a heart-lit energy."
Shefali shares more of her advice for being a conscious parent on a new episode of "Oprah's Lifeclass," airing this Sunday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. ET on OWN.
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