Parenting Teenagers

What is Your Teen doing this Summer?

Time is flying by, summer is fast approaching and your teen's summer break is just around the corner. If asked about what he wants to do during the summer, more than likely your teen will answer how he plans to lounge about playing video games, watching television, and hanging out with friends.
 
Then, a couple of weeks into summer break, your teen will become bored with these activities. Looking for new, more interesting and adventurous ideas, your teen might also get involved in negative activities.

Even if your teen is trustworthy and mature and you find yourself comfortable with him being home by himself, it would be a more positive experience for your teen if these long summer days are filled with beneficial activities for both his mind and body.
Before suggesting any specific summer plans to your teen, consider his personality and interests. The right summer activity will give your teen responsibility, accountability, guidance and - most of all - days filled with activities he enjoys.

Fortunately there are an abundance of possibilities to plan an educational as well as safe summer for your teenager. The following are a few of the many opportunities available to keep your teen busy and out of trouble during his summer break.
 

VOLUNTEERING

Does your teen like animals?  He or she might enjoy volunteering at your local animal shelter or rescue group. The web site www.petfinder.com lets you search for local animal shelters, sign up to be a volunteer, learn about pets, and gather other information related to pet care.

Your local hospice or hospital will also appreciate your teen’s help. Many patients are without friends or family and would benefit greatly from your teenager’s visit. Other volunteer opportunities exist at your local church, soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

The benefits of volunteering are twofold; besides teaching your teen the joy of giving to others, your teen will also gather volunteer hours for their high school graduation or college applications. Many colleges require essays on such activities, and volunteering, especially in their future field of study, will greatly improve their chances for acceptance.
 

GETTING A SUMMER JOB

Some teens prefer money to volunteer hours; consider checking to see if small jobs are available for your teen where you work. Doing so will help you to bond with your teen and give the two of you something to talk about.
 If your teenager prefers to have his own individual job, help him with applying to local grocery stores, restaurants or local car washes.
 

SUMMER CAMPS

Kids love camps. I was amazed to see how many local camps are available in every state.  Besides both day and overnight camps, there also are camps for different interests ranging from adventure, travel, and various sports to science.
 A great web site I found is www.summercamps.com. There you can search for camps either by interest or by state. You are bound to find the right camp for your teen there.
 

YMCA

The YMCA in your community may have a facility with a gymnasium, pool, and fitness center with a variety of programs for everyone to enjoy. Some of them offer job training, camps, a satellite program in a local school, or it may be all of those things.
 

SYLVAN LEARING CAMP

How are your teen’s grades?  Enriching your teen’s learning during school breaks is easy with sylvan academic camps. Sylvan’s academic camps are age and grade appropriate and are focused on targeted skill areas.
http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/academic-camps/index.cfm

Whatever your plans for the summer, I hope that it will be a safe and enjoyable one for both you and your teen!

If you liked Christina's article, try her book! In Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents that Works Botto shows you how to deal constructively with this age group by giving you access to proven strategies that have helped hundreds of parents build the relationship with their teenager they imagined. End your frustration TODAY! Find out more…

"This book is very helpful and very specific to specific issues. Each child is different but this gives you useful information to be used on different kinds of young people. The book is realistic and helpful. I have recommended it to several of my friends - Great book."
Carmen C., - Massachusetts

Do you need help with specific teenage issues?
Issues like letting your teen know you care? Or monitoring their activities without breaking their trust? Or perhaps even stronger issues like alcohol, drugs, or “the wrong crowd”? Then Christina Botto's new series Fitting the Pieces is exactly what you are looking for. Find out more…