Haley Ramm is a successful young actress with words of wisdom for parents stressed during their son or daughter’s teenage years. In “Bond of Silence,” Haley plays a character who witnesses an appalling crime and is burdened by the reality of what she saw. The real events that inspired the movie have motivated Haley to speak out about the problems that result from distrust and misunderstanding between teens and adults. Haley’s candid blog is a must-read for parents, with poignant reminders on how to endure the time of adolescence and build a stronger parent-child relationship.

Learn more about the “Bond of Silence” movie and Haley Ramm.

By Haley Ramm

Navigating the teen world is difficult, even for young people who have supportive parents and clear goals for the future. In "Bond of Silence," my fictional character, Jordan, struggles with peer pressure when her moral compass leads her in the right direction while her friends, who share a deadly secret, pull her in another. She has lifelong friends, communicates well with her parents and has clear-cut goals, but she is still drawn into tragic circumstances. Jordan's solid foundation gave her the strength to get through, but she emerged as a changed person.

As a working actress, I've had a foot in both the teen world and the adult world. Adult coworkers have shared their parenting issues, and it's become quite clear to me that the divide between many parents and their teens is just too wide. Within the divide live misunderstanding, reckless behavior, secrecy and drug and alcohol abuse.

What do parents need to know to help them understand their teens?

  • Understand that even honor roll students and star athletes are not immune to teen angst. I've known really good kids who binge drink and pass out on the weekends, and their parents have no idea. Why do they do it? They feel like they are under immense pressure to maintain the grades that will get them into a top university, or they do it because everyone else is doing it and following the crowd is easier than taking a stand and being branded a loser. Just because a student is excelling in school and spending time on the playing field doesn't mean they're not affected by peer pressure. Parents need to let their children know that they understand how hard it is to be a teen today. Lend an ear and an open heart.


  • Low self-worth is rampant among young people. I know teens whose parents are constantly on their case about their weight or how they dress. And if that's not bad enough, they are hit with a constant onslaught of media images showing celebrities who have been waxed, buffed, and polished. They don't know how they can compete with that. They don't know that they CAN'T compete with that because it's all an illusion. They turn to drinking or doing drugs that temporarily make them feel better about themselves and at ease in front of their friends. Parents can build self-esteem by pointing out the positive things about their children.