How To Make Hanging Out With Your Teenager Fun

We know that teenagers can be tricky but once your kiddies have grown up and become teens you may find they are surprising too. Teenagers are smart and full of interesting opinions.

You may not always agree with your teenager but you can appreciate that they do have their own thoughts and opinions.

While parents may assume once their teenager is in that “difficult age” their relationship will go downhill but it doesn’t always have to be the way.

Here are some good reasons why hanging out with your teenager can be fun:

They are a mini version of yourself -Like it or lump it, your teenager will pick up your characteristics and personality traits. So, you should like this person who is sitting in front of you! You should be proud to hang around with them as they have picked up on you and your partner. While they say if you are the same it will lead to trouble, we think having someone you have something in common with is great. Who doesn’t want to chat to their mini version anyway?

They are smart -Teenagers are learning every day so they know quite a lot of stuff. You may think they don't have a clue about what is going on in the world, but they will surprise you. Teenagers get taught stuff at school you may never have spoken about at home so next time you are questioning history or social aspects of society, chances are your teen will have answers. This also works well at family occasions when you get to see your teenager wipe the floor with their Uncle who thinks he is a genius!

They can offer different points of view - Teenagers have this uncanny way of seeing the world differently as they have grown up in totally different surroundings to us. They are more climate change focused than our younger selves and they care about the environment. They are living through times that have changed immensely with social media, consent issues and now tickling is going to be banned, apparently. Teenagers are wired into technology and understand it while parents still struggle to trust it. Teens adapt to their environment and are open-minded making them great fun to have discussions with.

It can give you opportunities to do fun things you normally wouldn’t do - Teenagers can get you interested in something you would never do with anyone else. As they are young and spritely it gives you a kick to get up and go! So, if your teen loves water sports or climbing mountains you might enjoy a new challenge. Furthermore, it will give you and your teenager something to do together and it can be just for you both.  

They can make you proud- Watching these kiddies grow and become these smart people makes you incredibly proud. Once you sit down with them and chat you will find you are proud of them and the person they have become. It isn’t always rosy in the garden but teenagers are cool to hang out with sometimes and we should definitely try to do it more!