Parenting Teenagers: Approaching Your Teens For Family Time

By Angela Lankenhurst

There are many aspects of family life which can be a struggle. For example, the generation gap between parents and their teenagers can sometimes seem like a no-go zone.

But in reality, parent and child time can be a very rewarding experience. There are some parents who are lucky enough to enjoy this already, but there are others who might not feel as comfortable approaching their teens about spending more time together*.

Think back (way, way back)

Did you have any awkward stages as a teenager where you felt like you didn’t fit in? Your teen may be feeling like this at the moment, which could be a parallel which draws you together.

Try to remember what you did for fun. If you can remember back to the old days, you might be able to compare your own teen years with those of teens today.

Remember the pressure?

The teenage years are when your child may begin to develop friendships and relationships, as well as learning how to start balancing school, exams, and their first job. On top of this, they are also experiencing changes in their own bodies, which can further add to the pressure.

Having your teen confide in you may create a bond of trust between parent and child, which can help when you come to spend quality time together.

Plan activities with your teenagers that you both enjoy

Quality time

Spending time together may not always be an amicable affair. You might have your own pressures, whilst your teen has their own. Time together does not need to be “leisure time”, it could be as simple as helping them to review their notes for an upcoming quiz or exam.

However, if you do want a more laid-back time, you could try to create a positive atmosphere by doing an activity that you both enjoy.

© Angela Lankenhurst

Angela Lankenhurst writes about home and family topics such as parenting and family issues. She spends her time working with children and families on a variety of projects in the community.

*To find out more about approaching your teens, please access the support library on the Relate for Parents website. Relate for Parents cover a number of family issues from marriage guidance to eating disorders.

This article may be reprinted with the complete author bio and a live link back to http://www.lovingyourchild.com

Additional resources:

Why Do They Act Like That – Proven strategies and techniques for communicating with your child. A guide for parents with teenagers with effective techniques by master practitioners of NLP from around the world.
Parenting Your Teen – 96% of parents experience stress, frustration, and confusion during their child’s teenage years. Here’s what you can do to easily turn things around and start developing a more connected, down-to-earth, win-win relationship with your teen and virtually guarantee their future success.
No-Nonsense Parenting For Today’s Teenager – How to feel like a good parent even when your teenager hates you. Get your teenager to STOP their abusive or disrespectful behavior, listen to what you say, do what you want them to do & respect you as their parent, while getting peace back in your home.