Communication is a two-way street. You don’t just listen to reply; you listen to understand too. Your teen is creating their own identity through language. Decode your teen’s lingo and build a stronger bond.

Here a Millennial Slang ‘Urban Guide’ to help you get started 

• Adulting - To carry out duties/responsibilities expected of adults; becoming independent
• Bae - A person's boyfriend or girlfriend
• Can’t even - A state of speechlessness, either as a result of feeling overjoyed or exasperated
• Fam  - Family
• Fleek - Extremely good, attractive or stylish.
• FOMO - Fear of missing out.
• Game strong - When something is going well.
• HMU - “Hit me up”.
  
• ICYMI - “In case you miss it”
  
• J/K - “Just kidding”
• Lit - When something is very amazing
• Lyfe - A deliberate mis-spelling of ‘life’, suggesting a dreary, small existence
• SMH - “Shake my head”
• Salty - Upset or bitter
• Squad - A clique
• Triggered - The feeling one gets when they get offended

Watch this hilarious video as Temasek Poly lecturers take on Millennial Speak.

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This ‘urban guide’ is only the start of better communication with your teen. Improving your understanding of your teen’s colloquial language is one way to bridge the distance between you and your teen. That way, you can tune in to your child and strengthen family bonds. Children look upon parents as role-models. By putting effort into building your family ties, you are indirectly teaching them values. In time to come, they will do the same when they raise their own families. 

Parents today have more opportunities for bonding with their children. One way they can spend quality time with their children is through parent-child workshops. The interactive workshops such as creating a YouTube family video presents more bonding opportunities. Moreover, parents understand their children better, building better relationships. Some workshops involve technology and social media, right up your teen’s alley. Again, this is a good time for parent-child bonding. 

Teenagers are at the crossroads of life, searching for an identity to call their own. Family support is especially important during these formative years. Parents should remain involved to communicate better and keep the “Fam game strong”.

Also check out this list to learn more teenage terms and lingos.