Getting closer with your teen can be a serious challenge for many parents, but if you find yourself in this situation it is essential that you don't give up. Forming a better relationship with your son or daughter will make a big difference in their life and can help guide them away from negative choices. If you're currently trying to connect to your teen, here are 4 easy ways to make it happen.

Ideas for Connectedness
1 - Start a new hobby - Often, parents and teens won't have any hobbies in common and neither wants to pick up the pastime of the other. The best solution in this situation is to find something new to try that you're both interested in. Try thinking outside the box and come up with something you can both get excited about.
2 - Take time to help with school work - This is a great way to ensure that your teen is succeeding in school while also spending valuable time together. Figure out which subjects are the most difficult for your teen, and make a real effort to help them improve their grades. This is a fantastic method for getting closer to your teen, as it provides valuable bonding time and helps set them up for future academic success.
3 - Set aside time for family dinner - It can't be overstated how big of a difference the simple step of having dinner as a family every night can make. It can be tempting to just eat while watching television or reading, but you're ignoring valuable bonding time. When your family gathers around the dinner table regularly, you'll quickly find that your level of communication improves substantially.
4 - Take a trip together - A road trip can be a fun and exciting way to spend more time with your teen. This could be a good option if your teen is reluctant to pick up a new hobby with you. Just pick somewhere fun that you can go for the weekend and jump in the car. You'll be surprised how quick your teen opens up when you're in the car together and there is no one else to talk to.
WinGate Wilderness Therapy is a program to help struggling teens and their families. If you would like more information, call us at (800) 560-1599.