Teens can be tough to deal with. That is true whether you are an adult, a kid, or even another teenager. But it is especially true if you're a parent. With their raging hormones and constantly shifting emotions, it can be hard to get a handle on what they want.
Nevertheless, it is important to form a strong bond with your teenage child and the best way to do that is by spending some quality time together. In the rare instances when they can tolerate your presence, you should schedule an activity that you can do together. That will help to strengthen the bond that will last for the rest of your lives.
Try An Escape Room Together
Being locked in a room with the family might sound like the last thing a teenager would want, but they might think twice if that room is an escape room. In an escape room, the players need to decipher clues and solve puzzles to escape the room in a limited amount of time. That encourages teamwork and cooperation, so it is a great way to spend time with your teen and the rest of the family.
If your teen is into videogames, then an escape room is like playing one in real life. If they're into movies, then they get to be the star of their own mystery/thriller. If they're all about social media, then they will have a great story to share with all of their followers. An escape room ticks all the boxes of whatever your teenager is into while being a fun activity that everyone in the family can enjoy. If you happen to be in the North Carolina area, then take them to Amaze Room Escapes for an experience they won't forget.
Teach Each Other Something New
You can teach your teen something valuable you have learned over the years or you can let them teach you something that they have learned. Either way, you are learning from each other, which is a way to forge a strong bond together. The teaching and learning experience doesn't have to be anything deep or complicated: they could teach you how to play their favorite videogame or how to use a particular app on your phone; you could teach them how to change a tire or how to replace a button on their shirt. The fact that you are communicating and learning from each other is what matters the most.
Grab a Bite Together
You don't need to take your teen to an expensive restaurant, especially since that would be pretty weird anyway. Take them to a fast food joint or a chain restaurant or even a food truck, as long as it is someplace where the two of you can hang out together for a little while. It will give the two of you a chance to talk about whatever you want. It doesn't have to be a deep conversation, as long as you avoid the subjects of work or school.
Get Active Together
Whether it's taking a walk, going on a hike, or taking a bike ride together, doing something physical is a great way to bond with your teen. Besides the valuable bonding time, getting active together helps to foster a healthy lifestyle, which benefits the both of you in the long term.
Do Volunteer Work Together
Your teen might be reluctant at first, but doing volunteer work together can instill strong values and make them feel good about doing something selfless. There are a wide variety of options available no matter where you live, so you could do anything from volunteering at a soup kitchen or a beach cleanup. Doing something for others together is a great way to bond and shows your teen the value of leaving a positive impact on the world.
