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
tidy up service Glenview ..Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
Little Suzy has really been having a hard time getting... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
A great many parents are concerned that the electronic games... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
From the time the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group?... Read More
There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More
Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
I am writing this from the beautiful mountains of Western... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
It may seem obvious to many people why literacy is... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
When planning a child birthday party, just a little bit... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
We are all aware of the child obesity epidemic that... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
Did you know there's a game children and parents play... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
Parenting |