When you’re a mom who also runs a business, it can be harder than ever to spend quality time with your kids, especially your teenager
When you’re a mom who also runs a business, it can be harder than ever to spend quality time with your kids, especially your teenager who only seem to want to be with their friends or by themselves. The thing to remember with teenagers is that, even if they do seem to want to be as far away from you as possible, it’s likely that what they really want is to spend time with you, but they don’t know how to articulate that.
To make everyone happy and to ensure that you get a break from work to spend with someone you love, here are some great ideas for spending quality time with your teenager.
No Electronics
If, like most people, you and the rest of your family are addicted to your electronics then take the time to turn them off and stay away from the screens for a little while so that you can really enjoy your time together. Make it a family rule that when you are out and about you don’t use your smartphones or tablets, for example, and you’ll see a lot more and get a lot more out of your time together. This will open up a conversation which is all-important.
Eat Together
Even if you have no other time together than at mealtimes, you can make those meals something special. As above, make sure that your electronic devices are turned off and talk to one another about your day or future plans. You might even want to take this one step further and prepare the food together which can be a great way to bond.
Do The Things Your Teen Enjoys
To really get to know your teen you will need to step into their world and try to do the things that they enjoy, at least to some extent. By going along with their plans rather than trying to make them do other things that you think they should do, you will get to see a more real side of them, plus they are more likely to agree to go out with you. You might even find that you like the new things that you are trying which could include an Escape Room DC or going to a concert of a band you’ve never heard of.
Do Chores Together
It may sound like an odd way to spend quality time together, but if you’re both very busy people then doing the household chores can be a great way to be together. They need to be done anyway, sharing the job will make it go quicker and can be fun, plus you will be teaching your teenager valuable life skills that will help them when they move into their own place in the future.
If the chores don’t sound like something you and your teen can do together, then what about a project for your home? You could paint a fence, pave the yard, build a birdhouse, or anything else that will work for you. As long as you are spending quality time together, that is all that matters.
