This is the period of time in your child’s life where they want to spend more time with their peers than with you; they are asserting their independence and attempt to push away from any interactions with their parents; and sometimes they’re just plain ornery. Nevertheless, here are some suggested activities that you can offer to your teen, which will promote your older child’s continued interaction with their family and a better relationship with you.
Whether you are divorced in the West Palm Beach area, a single parent or married, raising a teen can, at times, be rather difficult.
This is the period of time in your child’s life where they want to spend more time with their peers than with you; they are asserting their independence and attempt to push away from any interactions with their parents; and sometimes they’re just plain ornery. Nevertheless, here are some suggested activities that you can offer to your teen, which will promote your older child’s continued interaction with their family and a better relationship with you.
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Sit down and create a list of summer activities as a family unit. In some situations, the family unit may consist of only one parent and the children if it is after or during your divorce. Solicit ideas from everyone to make sure there are a variety of potential activities on your list. Then talk about how and when the activities may occur. Make sure you interact with your teen by including them in this process; doing so will give them a sense of ownership despite their continued protest of how “uncool” it may be.
Here are a few suggestions from our staff and divorce attorneys in West Palm Beach of the type of activities that you may want to have included on your list:
- Swimming in the ocean or the local lake. However, make sure that it is safe to do so. Here is Florida, most freshwater lakes contain alligators and the ocean, at times, can be infested with sea lice, man of war, jellyfish, and other unpleasant creatures or conditions;
- Go camping – whether it is at a local state park or in a backyard;
- Make homemade ice cream. If you don’t own an ice cream maker, research on the internet how to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker;
- Go to a waterpark. These are a great way for even teenagers to beat the heat;
- Attend a local summer festival. Almost every community, large and small, has more than one summer festival that you can attend;
- Plant flowers;
- Visit a museum;
- Fly a kite;
- Have a water balloon fight. As an adult, be prepared to be the prime target;
- Water balloon volleyball – set up a volleyball net and play volleyball with a water balloon. For more fun, play with more than one water balloon at a time.
- Cook a special meal together as a family. Have each family member be in charge of a certain course;
- Have a family movie night. Take turns choosing the movies and preparing the snacks. Talk to your teen after the movie about what he or she did and did not like about it; and
- Have a family board game night. Teenagers are used to fast paced video games. Playing board games can show them that they do not need electronics to have a good time. Experiment by having different board games. Take turns picking out the games. Make sure it is more about having fun than winning or being a serious competitor.
Spending time with your teenager is one of the secrets of developing a healthy relationship with him or her. Try out activities that will give you an opportunity to get to know each other better, so that you can maintain a healthy relationship as your teen grows older. The above activities should help you do so.
Certified Marital and Family Law Attorney in West Palm Beach Charles D. Jamieson understands that divorce is an extremely sensitive and important issue. Thanks to extensive experience and a focus on open communication, Attorney Jamieson adeptly addresses the complex issues surrounding divorce while delivering excellent personal service. To discuss your divorce, please contact The Law Firm of Charles D. Jamieson, P.A. online or call 561-478-0312.
