Have Fun With Your Teenager (page 2)

If you think you're the last person your child wants to have fun with, you may be right. But trying some of these tips could turn that around.

What You Need to Know

When was the last time you and your child just hung out and had fun? Spending time together on activities you both enjoy is a good way to bond without making your “parenting” so transparent.

How You Can Help

• Do something physical. Bike riding, jogging, playing catch, or bowling can work wonders for relieving daily frustrations and stress, as well as building team-building skills as you work toward a shared goal for once (rather than battling over homework and chores).
• Laugh! Rent a silly movie, borrow a karaoke machine, or teach your child dance moves from when you were her age. You might look a little ridiculous, but on the bright side – it's pretty hard to be at one another's throats if laughter's gotten to them first!
• Cook – bake homemade cookies, whip up your own pizza, throw together the world's best tacos – then sit down and enjoy the fruits of your shared labor together.
• Make impromptu stops at your neighborhood coffee or bolba bar, just the two of you, and have a friendly chat – no cross-examinations or lectures, just a chance to speak freely about whatever comes to mind and to the table. Let your child set the tone, and be open and responsive, asking open-ended questions and really listening to her answers.
• Send cards whenever you might want to drop a friendly line – not just for birthday wishes and a side of cash. Anytime you think of a reason you love your child, anytime your child does anything to make you proud, share it. Let your child wake up to a warm, sincere card or letter on the nightstand, complete with your warm sentiments to start the day.

For more on this topic, please see the full article:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Tips_Parents_Have/