pact commitment 4
It can be difficult to find a way to connect with teens. Now that they’ve outgrown a lot of childhood activities, it may be more difficult to find family activities they're interested in.
The teen years are also the time when young people begin to spend more time with friends than family. And without a concerted effort to create quality family time, many teens begin to drift apart from their parents.
A strong family finds that opportunities for quality time emerge from quantity time: The more time you spend together, the better chance you have of sharing quality experiences.
Quality Time is Important
Where should you start if you’re not spending enough time with your children?
Eating meals together, talking about the events of the day, sharing joys and defeats, doing household chores together and spending some evenings popping corn and watching movies are examples of shared activities. Some families even schedule one evening every week for special family activities.
Eat Dinner Together
Spending at least one meal per day together can create an opportunity to talk to your teen. During meal times, shut off the electronics and focus on the conversation. It can be the best way to find out about your teen’s day.
Set aside time for the entire family to spend time together.
Whether you choose to play board games once a month or watch a movie once a week, make it a tradition. This can be important toward building a quality relationship with your teen.
Plan a Family Night
Go on a Bike Ride or Hike
Sometimes teens aren’t much for just sitting and talking. But, if you get them to play catch or do something that gets you moving, it can lead to more natural conversations.
It’s likely that your teen enjoys things you know nothing about. Be willing to step into your teen’s world, even when it’s not something you particularly enjoy.
For example, if your teen enjoys video games, try playing a game together. Let your teen teach you about it or show you something new.
Play Games Together
Make sure your child sees that you are genuinely interested in his or her activities.
Know the people they are hanging out with (including family members of their friends), and always know where they are.
