Summer is in full swing, which likely means your teen is out of school and on break! Summer vacation is a great time to strengthen the bond you have with your teen. You may be working full time, but there are still ways to grow your relationship with your teen. Here are a few ideas that can help you and your teen get the most out of their summer vacation.
1. Take time out of your day to spend with your teen.
While kids and teens around the country have the next month or so off, most parents, cannot take the whole summer off to spend time with their kids. However, simply taking an hour or two every day to reconnect with your teen is vital. Whether that be eating a meal together, playing a board game, or doing some small project. These kinds of activities may seem small but can really help strengthen the relationship you have with your kid.
2. Do one fun activity on the weekend.
The weekends are usually better for working parents to spend time with their kids. So take that time to go out and do something fun! Going swimming, seeing a movie, attending a carnival, or eating a meal out together are great ways to reconnect with your teen and get out of the house at the same time. However, if going out isn’t appealing, there are plenty of things you can do with your teen at home! These can include getting out around your neighborhood for a walk or ride a bike, having a movie night at home, cooking your child’s favorite meal, or doing an arts and crafts project.
3. Let your teen go out with their friends.
While this doesn’t necessarily sound like an excellent way to bond with your teen, letting your teen go out and spend time with their friends can actually help strengthen their bond with you. All teenagers need to go out and see their friends in order to stay happy and maintain healthy social relationships. It is essential to spend quality time with your teen to reconnect with them, but they must also have time to themselves. In addition, letting your teen spend time with their peers helps them grow closer to you, as it allows them to know that you trust them. And mutual trust is a crucial thing to have in any relationship, especially in a parent-teen relationship.
4. Be there for your teen.
This past year has been super rough on most kids all around the country. Kids and teens have felt isolated, alone, stressed, and overworked. The burnout has been real for all kids that have attended school since the lockdown. It is critical this summer that kids take time for themselves and rest after the challenging year. Make sure to be there for your kid, to listen to them, and comfort them if they may need it. Don’t expect too much from your kids this summer; they are tired and burnt out. Giving them time to rest and rejuvenate for this next school year is vital.
We’re Here To Help
If you or your child are having trouble connecting or bonding over the summer, we are here for you! We can help you and your child develop the skills necessary to flourish and grow healthy relationships. Contact us today to learn more! Request an appointment online or call our office today at (858) 776-8804.
