Listen, the teen years are a weird stage for both the teenagers themselves and the parents who have to try to understand what’s going on. Because of this, parents and teens often don’t get along, and they retreat into their own corners of the home. This is especially the case once school rolls around and schedules become busier. For some people, it gets to a point where they lose touch with their kids and find it hard to maintain a close relationship with them, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and find an activity that makes them happy, you’ll be able to reconnect and get your relationship back on a steady track.
Try an Escape Room
When it feels like any conversation with your teen barely
exists, you might just need something exciting to talk about. And if there’s
anything we can be sure of, it’s that an escape room will more than deliver lots
of excitement. Not only will you have fun and maybe pick up a new hobby, but if
you pay close enough attention, you’ll be able to learn so much about yourself and your teen through an escape room. Take
time to talk later about the clues you might have missed, the puzzles you
successfully solved, and make a plan for a second outing! This interactive
activity will test your skills and foster your ability to work together as a
team.
Grab a Bite to Eat
There are a plethora of coffee shops and restaurants available
in every corner, and it’d be a shame to have so many opportunities go to waste.
For teens who value quality time, one of the best things you can do to inspire
reconnection is to sit down for a cup of coffee or a meal and simply talk, or
just listen, for a while. Encourage a facedown-phone policy so both of you are
able to focus and see what a bit of food can do to jump-start a conversation.
Your strategy to bond with your teen can be exploring new places on a regular
basis.
Play a Game
If you or your teen’s idea of fun doesn’t include leaving the comforts of home, a great way to create opportunities for shared experiences is picking up a card or board game. Games like Coup or Dutch Blitz are fast-paced and exciting, and they’re flexible to include more players so you can include the whole family. When it’s over you’ll have opened an avenue into improving your relationship and it might just turn into a fun family tradition.
Trying to hang out with a teenager can be intimidating for parents but reconnecting with them doesn’t have to be. Whether you guys want to go on an exciting adventure with EscapeWorks Denver or cozy up at home, sometimes simply making an effort is all it takes.
