On 4 September 2025, COFACE member NOE (National Association of Large Families) held a full-day, free mini-conference in Budapest entitled “Fordulópont – Út a Megértéshez, a Tüskék Mögé Nézve” (“Turning Point – A Route to Understanding, Looking Beyond the Thorns”) aimed at parents raising adolescents.
The event was designed to provide practical tips and methods to help parents navigate the challenges of adolescence and foster deeper understanding in family relationships. It specifically targeted parents of teenagers and offered tools for dealing with emotional tensions, communication gaps and underlying conflicts.
Purpose and themes
The conference was grounded in the view that adolescence often brings “thorns” – tensions, misunderstandings, emotional distance – which families must look beyond to reach greater mutual understanding. Through workshops, talks and group sessions, participants explored:
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strategies to communicate across emotional barriers
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recognising hidden tensions and their sources
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how to support adolescent autonomy while preserving connection
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practical tools for everyday family life
In addition, the programme was free of charge,and NOE member families were given priority in registration.
Why it matters
Adolescence is a critical period of growth and change, not only for teenagers but also for their families. Conflicts can escalate when parents and children struggle to understand each other. This mini-conference offered a timely opportunity for parents to deepen their insight, find new tools, and connect with others facing similar challenges.
By framing the event as a “turning point,” NOE emphasised that this is not just another lecture day, it is intended to be a moment of reflection, transformation and renewed understanding for families.
NOE invited all parents struggling with the complexities of adolescent family life to join this conference. Whether seeking concrete tools for difficult conversations or simply wanting to better understand your teenager’s inner world, this event aimed to support, equip and inspire.
