Bonding with your Teen

Many would ask,"What can I do to make my teenage daughter/son want to spend time with me?". I know a lot of moms out there wants to spend more time with their teens, the problem is, they don't know where exactly to begin.


Welcome to the exciting world of moms of teens. Even though teens may act like their moms are the last people in the world they'd ever want to hang out with, bonding is more crucial than ever during the high school years. Here are some smart tips for bonding with your teens even when you are both busy.


1.  Seize the small moments

     Make the most out of small moments when paths do cross. Try to be alert when they do   

     want to talk – even if it's just during the five minutes before they head out the door to 

     school. Whatever it takes, you have to try and be available – meaning listening and paying 

     attention whether it is a small time or longer.

2.  Show interest in your teen's interest

     If you want to get your teen's attention, you should show sincere interest in the things that 

     he/she is interested in.  You need to have something to talk about and do together, you 

     need to show interest in something that your TEEN wants to do instead of including them 

     in the things that YOU want to do.

3.  Schedule a date (bonding time) with your teen

     Go to a movie, have lunch or dinner, you can even go to a coffee shop and have coffee 

     together. JUST YOU AND YOUR TEEN! If you don't have a budget, you can schedule 

     movie nights at home, with DVDs and  popcorn. Make sure that you ask your teen what 

     he/she wants to do, on their most convenient time. The key is not just taking your teen out 

     for some one on one time, but also using this time to communicate.

4.  Invite your teen shopping

     One surefire way to get teens to spend some time with you is to invite them to go 

     shopping, or to accept their invitations to do so. Whenever my son asks me to accompany 

     him in buying something, I make sure that I say yes. I even go with him to the salon every 

     time he have his hair cut. 

5.  Connect through social media

     When all else fails, go digital! You might not be having the fun friend times you want, but 

     texting and facebooking  is still connecting.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun with your teen.  The important thing is to spend quality time together and create a bond that will last forever.