Dr Joanna Fortune: My teenager barely says a word to me — is it just a phase?

Some parents feel they have to compete for their teen’s time and attention or that they are on the outside looking in

Joanna Fortune: "Part of the task of adolescence is to pull away from their parents, to separate and establish themselves as independent people. This dynamic is healthy and normal. However, how teenagers go about this can be very challenging for parents"

My 15-year-old daughter barely says a word to me.  She breezes in from school and goes straight to her room. If I ask how her day went, she'll say 'fine' and nothing more. I've checked with her school and was told there are no issues in class and that she gets on well with her peers. Is this just a phase?

Part of the task of adolescence is to pull away from their parents, to separate and establish themselves as independent people. This dynamic is healthy and normal. However, how teenagers go about this can be very challenging for parents.