I celebrate a little bit of everything, including Hanukka.
Since they've become teens (13, 14 &17), they just hang out on the phone (alot). I want to get them excited about trimming a tree, lighting some candles, maybe helping out at the Salvation Army, but they are so disinterested. Any suggestions for getting some teenagers interested in doing ANYTHING other than listening to thier ipod/internet surfing or sleeping??
Thanks
2006-12-03 13:41:49 · 18 answers · asked by isis 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Those are hard ages to deal with but not impossible. You need to be creative and the one way to get through to teenagers is acting like one too. Ask each one to pick a song or two from their ipods and tell them they could play them on the family cd player, (you can hook the ipod up to your stero system and if you do not know how, I am so sure they do.), even if you do not like their music because while the music is playing they can trim the tree. This way, they get to listen to their music, they get to share it with you and trim the tree with you. Also, ask them what their favorite meal is and take them shopping for those particular items and you can all share cooking a meal together. Also, the best meal idea gets an additional gift or something. Allow them to call a friend or two during the time of the day when you do not have anything planned and have each one, maybe, depending on where they live, invite a friend over to light candles or wrap presents. The best wrapped present gets to go to the movies. Then ask each one to give up something they no longer want or need and have them bring it to the salvation army with you and then maybe as a Hanukka present you can get them something that replaces it or even better.
Teenagers lose interest very quickly when they feel pressured to do something that is out of their control so if you give them a little control with the plans, it makes them feel more eager to do it.
Hey, even myself, I am an adult of 43 years and even I need a little excitment doing things that may seem chore like. I even buy myself a little something too, to make that Christmas shopping a little less painful.
Enjoy!
2006-12-03 13:56:43 · answer #1 · answered by megabites42 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a teenager, and I hate the fact we all get a bad wrap for things like this! I am 18 I have my whole life together, already! I would tell them before they even come down not to bring things like that to distracked them. have a plan keep them busy let them know, hey! were going to trim the tree to day!, and after that were going to voleenteer at the salvation army! dont give them options be firm! and give them a little speech on reality, that some people and kids arent as lucky as you!
good luck! and happy hoildays
2006-12-03 13:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by ♥JENN♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are 4 teenagers in my house, 2 of which are step kids. I usually write down 5 things I would like for them to get involved with, and let them decide amongst themselves which 2 we will do as a family. I also encourage their friends to join us for several reasons, it gets more kids involved in community service, the teens have someone they know to talk to , and you don't have to look at a bunch of sulking teens all day. When they feel like it's their idea or they had a part in it, they tend to want to participate more. We've been handling volunteer work like this in our house for a couple of years now and it always seems to work. The upside to all of this, is that they will eventually grow into well rounded adults who had parents with the good sense to teach them how to care for others. Good luck and Happy holidays!
2006-12-03 14:00:17 · answer #3 · answered by creole woman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny games that get the family intereacted. Like Balderdash or madgab. These are silly games that I enjoyed when I was an annoying teenager. Maybe do something they would like to do as well. If you do something they like then they may open up a possibly of doing something the parents like to do as well. It is called compromise. It will possibly be impossible to drag them away from ipods and comps but u could try having some family time.
2006-12-03 13:49:28 · answer #4 · answered by texaslady78 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question and it's also very hard to answer. Seems like that is all that teens want to do. I have 4 of them in my house. I've tried everything to get them interested in doing things with us, but to them, it's all about hanging out with their friends, video games, iPods, Internet, etc.
Our solution is to basically keep them busy. I have them doing chores, and also signed them up for community service (good for applying to college). They helped prepare turkey for Thanksgiving for the needy, and now they will be doing work for helping prepare presents and other Christmas related tasks for underprivileged kids. It's better than let them sit around the house and waste away on the Internet (like me..LOL).
2006-12-03 13:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by SoCal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is sad that many children these days do not do more of these activities during the holidays and all year long. However, if they are not encouraged they will not. I would just tell them of your idea and explain that this is something you would like them to try. If they do not enjoy it, that will be fine. However, they will not really know unless they try. These are probably new things to them and change is always a little difficult for everyone. Good luck and good for you with the ideas. God bless****
2006-12-03 13:46:04 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas bypass from Dec. twenty 5th to Jan. 06th that's Kings Day - while the three Magi visited the toddler bringing presents. this is the reason many cultures positioned their trees up on Christmas Eve. it particularly is only with present day commercialized opposition that folk experience the would desire to beautify so early. As on the doorstep-infants, i'm sorry to take heed to you will possibly p.c. to handle those problems. the infants understand that Christmas has exceeded, so take it down in case you experience waiting to. they're going to be bored of the presents they have been given at Christmas by employing the time you spot them, so your presents would be their new well known issues, so her plan would have backfired in some way. by employing the way, if she isn't complying with courtroom-ordered visitation schedules, it's time to bypass decrease back in to courtroom!
2016-10-13 23:03:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it may seem harsh, but MAKE them do it with you! Don't let them use the computer/ipod/phone until after they have done 'family' things with you and their dad first... and their dad should be right there telling them to get into it, not just you! I had this issue with my stepson at first but since I've started to make him do things our way when he is with us he's actually gotten to like it and participates nicely... but he of course still wants to play on the computer or use the playstation, so I still allow him time to do it, but only if he's doing other things with us as well.
2006-12-03 13:48:15 · answer #8 · answered by jenieatworld 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Encourage them to help and be involved but don't force it. Teenagers think everything is stupid except for their friends (who usually are stupid). Even if they sit on the couch complaining, they will cherish their holiday memories. Don't get discouraged and keep ASKING them if they would like to help/participate then do your own thing even if they aren't interested. Just don't FORCE them to be involved. They will grow out of thier teenage "everything is sooo boring" years. We did!!!
2006-12-03 13:46:42 · answer #9 · answered by hes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bio-parent you are with will have to make the gadgets off limits for most of the day, with access during certain times only.
2006-12-03 13:44:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋