Early in 2009, How are the Children? staff interviewed young people, ages 12-22, about their interactions with adults.  One of the questions we asked was, “What do you wish adults knew about how you’d like them to interact with you?”

Here’s what they told us:

• Just listen; Actually to care, be with me, spend time with me; Give me rules.  (13 year old girl)
• Try to be patient with us because we’re still growing up.  (15 year old girl)
• Be a good listener.  Respond to me.  (19 year old)
• Basically don’t jump to conclusions.  Don’t assume.  (17 year old boy)
• I want to talk with adults who have been through the same road I’ve been on and who understand where I’m coming from. (18 year old girl)
• Be more understanding and open-minded. (18 year old girl)
• I want the honest truth from them.  I don’t like to get played by adults.  I want to be able to share the honest truth with them.  (14 ½ year old boy) 
• More understanding (16 year old boy)
• Listen more. (14 year old boy)
• Be patient and support what I think. (14 year old girl)
• Listen more. (14 year old girl)
• Listening more. (17 year old boy)
• Treat me like more of an adult. (16 year old girl)
• Be a good listener. (22 year old girl)
• Listen, treat me like an adult. (15 year old girl)
• Try to understand me better.  (12 year old girl)
• Wish they could understand me better. (15 year old boy)
• Ask more questions, like about school life. (15 year old boy)
• Try to understand the situation more.  (16 year old girl)
• Treat me more like an adult. (18 year old girl)
• Listen better and care what I say. (16 year old boy)
• Listen better, be respectful, and don’t criticize. (17 year old boy) 

In many ways, what kids want from adults is pretty simple—they want us to listen, be patient, and try to understand them.