The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in that I don't have much time left to spend with her! She's turning 16 in a couple of months, and I know I won't be seeing her much after she gets her driver's license.
It's hard to find things to do with your teenage daughter. You might be busy, they might have better things to do...I encourage you not to let this time slip away from you. Our interests may be very different from theirs, but there's always things you can do to bridge the gap.
If you have more than one daughter, then make sure they each get their special time alone with you. I have found that these activities are also great for bonding with teens you want to reach out to and build relationships with, like a step-daughter.
I've done all of the following activities with my daughter and/or step-daughter and haven't regretted a moment. Someday I will be able to look back and appreciate the moments we shared, and I hope they will too.
1. Take your dog(s) on a walk together.
2. Cook dinner together, letting her choose the menu and help shop for the ingredients.
3. Pick her up from school and take her out to lunch, even if she misses part of a class.
4. Drive to the closest big city for the night, stay in a hotel, and spend all the next day shopping and sightseeing, taking time to stop for lunch at an outdoor cafe.
5. Read the same book together and talk about it when you're done reading it.
6. Do a scriptural book study together.
7. Get up early on a Saturday morning, go get coffee, and spend the morning going to yard sales or looking through thrift shops or dollar stores.
8. Make cookies together to give to a friend.
9. Make holiday gifts together to give to friends and family. Visit http://www.crafty-moms.com for easy craft ideas.
10. Go with your daughter to the concert of her choice.
11. Buy her the materials to start a high school scrapbook. Work on your scrapbooks while she works on hers.
12. Join a local fitness club and work out together. My daughter and I joined a local women's gym that is very inexpensive ($40/month for both of us). We get up at 5:00 a.m. three days a week to go exercise before she goes to school and I go to work.
13. Go to the local video store and rent a couple of "chick flicks" to enjoy together in the comfort of your home. Kick the men out of the house and lounge around in your pajamas.
About The Author
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit her web sites at http://www.crafty-moms.com and http://www.crafty-moms.com
disinfecting cleaning services Winnetka ..What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
Having a babysitter take care of your kids is sometimes... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
Parenting |