Tom Tozer and Bill Black pose for a portrait Monday, March 28, 2016 at the Chattanooga Times Free Press.Is there anything more exasperating, more maddening than when a teen in your family refuses to answer a question by speaking instead of shrugging? Is there anything that drives you closer to the edge than a son or daughter who won’t offer an audible opinion, participate in a dinner conversation or even utter a preference? Both of us have been there – and to be honest, neither of us had the patience to discover a remedy.
However, we have talked to a lot of dads (and moms) who found the keys to unlocking those sealed lips. Before we share some of those ideas, we’d like to offer a few fatherly memories from our own experience.
Who me? Never.
“Dad, the reason why I don’t say anything is because you always disagree and put me down.” Ouch!
“Dad, you usually do all the talking.” Who quiet and shy dad?