Remember when you were a teenager. I do. I remember thinking I was very wise and that adults knew nothing, nothing I was interested in knowing anyway, how times change I am now really old and a single parent with 2 teenagers.
I love my Teen Boy and Teen Girl I really do they are kind talented and funny. They are brilliant company and a joy to be with but you don’t need me to tell you that bringing up a teenagers can be really tough. I struggle with untidy rooms and dirty laundry, if anyone has the answer to that please let me know.
Its half term and my Teens and I are on holiday this week, its winter and we aren’t going away, so we have been spending a lot of time together, well I say together we are in the same house they come down from their rooms for food and money. We are all still smiling just. So with this mind and with love I thought I would share with you 15 simple rules to surviving the half term holidays ( or any prolonged period of time) with teenagers.
- Keep them fed and hydrated, make sure there is simple to prepare nourishing food available at all times, a hungry teenager is a miserable teenager.
- Remember whatever you say or whatever you do it is embarrassing for them.
- Plan one trip with them it could be to see a film or going shopping it gets them out of their rooms and helps make memories. I am big on making memories
- Refrain from saying “back in my day”. They don’t care about your day it’s as relevant to them as the 1920’s are to you. They don’t know what a cassette tape looks like and care less.
- Listen, resist all urges to interrupt them when they are talking to tell them what you would do or about your experiences. I know it’s fascinating to you but they just want you to listen.
- Do not negate their fears, you know that they are talented and pretty/handsome you know that they are going to be a successful adults but they don’t and it’s normal for them to worry about it.
- You don’t have to win at all costs, you know that you win any argument easily, let them win sometimes it will boost their confidence
- Try not to lose it when they lose or break your stuff they didn’t do it on purpose.
- Spend some time alone with them. I know you are busy and have loads to do. I find that you have the best conversations when you are alone together
- Talk and talk often, talk about the world what’s important to them what they think about politics, I was surprised (and pleased) at how left leaning my teens are, I use the opportunity to talk when I am giving them a lift somewhere.
- Make an effort to spend time with them, I watch Match of the Day with Teen Boy and The X factor with Teen Girl, I know its television but it works and gives us a common interest that we share and talk about.
- Encourage them to see their friends it gets them out of the house and its good for them to have networks for when they are not in school.
- Be kind to their friends they are very important to them and provide them with support that you can’t.
- It’s natural to be wary of boyfriends/girlfriends, be supportive of any relationships during the good times and be there for your teens in the bad times.
- Enjoy! They won’t be a teenagers forever (they were babies just the other day!) They will eventually want to spend their time and their holidays with other people (sob) Cherish this time and you will remember it with fondness.
Do you have any tips for surviving as single parent with teens,if you have I would love to hear from you, leave a comment or contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from you
until the next time
D x
Single Mummy Life 