When a child reaches adolescence, they begin to show signs of maturity, not just mentally but also physically and socially. They begin to develop the ability to think abstractly, become more concerned with complex topics such as philosophy, politics, and social issues, think long-term, set personal goals, and compare themselves with their peers. They may begin to struggle with independence and control, but you should not fight fire with fire. A recent study showed that an effective way to make teens open up more is not through talking back at them or reprimanding them – instead, by taking a more retrospective and understanding approach through attentive listening.