It’s the time of year when we all talk about spending time with family.  While we do spend time with family on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, we spend a lot of the other days around this time of year being very busy.  There are parties to attend, presents to buy, things to bake, and errands to run.  It feels like a flurry trying to decorate, get a tree, participate in the church play, and the other million things you might have on the list for November and December.

 

Before you even realize what has happened, the holiday season really isn’t time with family at all.

 

This year can be different.  If you choose to, you can make it a great time of connection for you and your teenagers.  Here are 5 tips on how to involve them.

 

1.  Include them in your shopping.  While I realize they can’t come with you while you shop for their gift, they can certainly help you think of what to get everyone.  They can then sit with you while you order it online, or go with you from store to store.

 

2.  Make baking a family affair.  Teens (especially teen girls) love to bake.  They will actually have some fun if you make cookies together.  Let them put on some music they like, and have a good afternoon together.

 

3.  Don’t be afraid to say no.  It’s truly fine to have limits around how you spend your time this holiday season.  You don’t have to buy everyone a gift or decorate perfectly.  Connecting with family and remembering to focus on your faith for the next 6 weeks is paramount.

 

4.  Teach your children why Christmas really exists.  We’ve made it all about shopping and giving.  It is really nice to give presents.  However, it also is a religious holiday.  I know it can be hard to remember that based on what is shown on TV, where they will say things like, “Christmas is all about family,” or “Christmas is all about giving.”  That is not the basis of Christmas and you have a chance to teach them this year that it is about the birth of Christ.

 

5.  Prioritize some special family time.  Perhaps plan a day to just stay home together, or go up to the mountains together.  Pick a few days out of this busy season to just be “not busy” with your family.  A lot of times you get resistance from your teens when you do this, but they secretly like it.  Trust me, I know because I hear it in my office weekly.

 

Have a safe, love-filled, enjoyable holiday season.  It’s my hope that you get in some quality time with your teenager- for the most part they love getting positive attention from you!

 

Helping families grow and teens improve connection,

Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT