My tip this week is
Emphasize and encourage family relationships >>Listen

We’re getting ready to enter another holiday season when you are likely to make plans to see family members from near and far. Teenagers are famous for complaining about family gatherings. Why? One reason is it takes them out of their friend-focused routine, and who really needs to hear Aunt Sarah say one more time “My how you’ve grown!”

But I encourage you not to give in….don’t let your teen miss your family gatherings. These are special, important, and they give your teen roots and connections that are irreplaceable. I’ve seen even the crabbiest 15 year old boy end up on the floor with little cousins playing games or outside having a ball shooting baskets. These relationships must be encouraged and fostered. And what can be wrong with being the adored big teenage cousin for a day or two out of the year?!

Sometimes kids’ relationships with their cousins, aunts and uncles need some warming up as they reconnect. Perhaps you can pull out some old photo albums to help your teen remember the fun times they had had with cousins when they were younger.  Remind them that these are relationships they have had their whole life – and will continue to have throughout their life. Help them find ways to maintain these relationships so your teens feel close with extended family members during the whole year.

Aunts and uncles may already have extra-special relationships with your teenager… and how wonderful it is to have another adult with whom your teen can relate. Don’t be threatened by this –this a real plus to both you and to your teenager.

I want to share a quote from a parent whose kids are now grown; she said: “We stressed the importance of family – parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc. My teens weren’t always happy to be at family gatherings, but now they wouldn’t miss a family event for anything.”

So that’s the bottom line.
 

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Teens…….

Til next time…I'm Sue Blaney.