As any parent knows, getting your teenager to sit down and spend time with you can be challenging in the best of circumstances. While it’s not impossible, it’s difficult enough that you have to put effort into it to find an activity that both of you will enjoy. Then, of course, how can you spend time with your kid without breaking the bank? Thankfully, there are good ideas out there. Here are three thoughts on how to spend time with your teenagers and avoid spending a small fortune.
Spend the Day in the City
If you live within driving or mass-transit distance of a city, you’re in luck. Most cities have museums, parks and sports arenas, and some may have sharable electric scooters to ride around town on. Before you go, do a little bit of Googling and see what your options are. Thankfully, however, most major cities have websites that list their free and inexpensive activities. Once you’ve identified some things to do, visit those websites, get more information and make sure you have the hours right. Run them by your teenager, and make sure that it’s something he or she may actually be interested in doing before you go. The last thing you want to do is take your kids somewhere only to have them huff that they hate the place you took them.
Take a Class Together
A key question to ask yourself is, what does your teenager like to do, or what did he or she likes to do that they might want to do again? Ask your child what his or her passion is, and see if you can take a class together. This offers the benefit of not only giving you and your kid a chance to spend some quality time together, but it can help teach you skills that you can use. As a bonus, it may give your teenager something to put on a college application.
Enjoy Digital Bonding
Sometimes, you have to go where your kid is. And if you have a teen who won’t put down his or her phone, go join him or her. Find out which games your kid likes and play them together. Keep in mind, engaging in an activity like this is best if you make a set time to play together, not just when one of you goes to the bathroom. This is supposed to be quality time, and while that can happen digitally, it’s best if you combine it with real-world activity. Remember, if you want to really spend quality time with your teenager, you have to find out what your kid likes and spend time doing that. Teenagers are independent, autonomous young adults, and they deserve respect in their choices. Spending time with them means meeting them where they are.
If you come up short or run out of ideas, discover your child’s strengths and go from there. This not only helps you bond with your kids but helps teach them skills and interests that will help serve them later in life.
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