Perhaps you are always working, or maybe the demands of a busy household means that spending time one on one with your son (or sons) is difficult. Whatever the reason, it is easy for months, years even, to go by without getting that quality time in. Teenagers are typically resistant to spending time with their parents, but during these integral years a huge amount is going on for them that they may not feel able to share with you. Although they might say that they don’t want to ‘hang’, spending time together means that if there is a problem, they can come to you with it. Read these top tips and see if there might be something you could do to get them off the internet and out with you.
Get on Their Level
What is it that teenagers are doing on their phones all day? Although we might never know the answer to this question, perhaps we might never want to know, getting to grips with some of the things they are interested in is a good way to figure out what might coax them out of their bedrooms. If you are a staunch technophobe, get to grips with Instagram and Facebook and try to get an awareness of what kind of world they live in. If you are lucky enough to be friends on Facebook with them, see what they like and surprise them with tickets to a gig or a game. They might groan, but the effort will not go unnoticed.
Get a Regular Slot
Pick a time each week or month to do something together, a sport maybe or the cinema. If something happens regularly enough, they will soon come to expect it and might not be so resistant to coming on outings. Similarly, a shared interest can give you something to bond over, and shared experiences are the cornerstone of successful bonding. When you lead a busy life, apportioning a few hours regularly can seem impossible. If you manage to do it, you will inevitably reap the rewards later.
Take them on Vacation
A more extreme measure, but definitely worth considering for the teenager who is glued to their smart phone. A trip away together could mean a lifetime’s worth of memories, even if at the time it seems like the last thing either of you wants to do. One way to ensure that the trip is successful is to have a point to it, such as a hunting or fishing holiday, for example. This gives some structure to your days and means you have something to do with the hours. Consider heading North to the Alaska Fishing Lodge, with a great place to stay from Alaska Sportfishing Expedition, and learn together while bonding over your shared experiences.
Do Not Panic
If your efforts work and you find yourself with a new, deeper connection with your teenage son, try to remain calm if they share things with you that shock you. As parents, there are things about our children that we don’t necessarily want to hear. Unless there is something very serious that needs addressing, telling your child off will only mean they do not talk to you in future.