I was recently at a social gathering where I sat across the table from a teenager and an adult who were having a conversation. I paid special attention to the non-verbal ways in which the older man and the young man were communicating. I was focusing on this aspect of their conversation because of some research I had recently read which reported that adolescents spend twelve percent less time looking at the face of the person they are speaking to, than do adults ages twenty to forty. The researchers said these findings are important because interpreting facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures are all important communication cues. Now before you conclude that this research proves that our kids don’t, in fact, listen to us, you need to remember that our teenagers are in process. There are insecurities and still-developing communication skills that combine to contribute to some nervousness. Remember, your kids are listening and its important to never think otherwise.