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Some parents are blessed with teens who are more than happy to get involved in family life. However, it’s often the case — and understandably so — that older children want to carve out their own path and concentrate on things outside the family home.
Yet as summer continues you might be trying to think of some ways to get your reluctant teens involved in your family and spiritual life. The great news is that if you approach things in the right way your adolescent children could be delighted (well, maybe happyish) to join in with these faith-focused activities.
1
A gratitude journal with a difference
In good and hard times it’s important for all of us to think about what is going right in our lives, and give thanks to each other, and to God, for what we’re blessed with. It’s not always easy to do so, especially for teens, when hormones are acting up, and the usual trials and tribulations of adolescent life are proving overwhelming.
However, not only does showing gratitude help strengthen your relationship with God, it’s also scientifically proven to have a positive impact on your mental health.
Whereas we’re often encouraged to write a gratitude journal, you could try a slightly more appealing approach with your teens. Yes, that means screens!
You could get all members of the family to make a digital gratitude journal each day. Get everyone to record a short video each day in the style of their choosing — humor is allowed, and definitely encouraged — that share what they are thankful for. Then, at the end of the week or month you could have a family get-together to watch what you’re all grateful for. Sometimes you might be surprised with the results!
2
Outdoor movie night
If you’re enjoying the warmer weather, then use it to have a little family film night outdoors. If you can get hold of a projector, speakers, some comfy seating, bug repellent, and some delicious movie snacks, then you’ll be fully-equipped for a fun evening.
To make it more appealing for your teens you could make it a late night viewing where any younger siblings are tucked up in bed and you focus on your older children. To add to the fun, you could all vote on what movie to watch (good luck with that!) and even invite cousins or friends of a similar age and their parents to add to the atmosphere.
You might be asking yourselves how this is a faith-filled activity. Well, you could always choose a film that is faith-based, but if that’s not the case then any positive time spent together as a family can only help strengthen bonds and the sharing of your values.
3
A family service project
One of the greatest ways to bond and involve your teens is to encourage them to help others. Therefore, select a volunteer project for you to carry out as a family. However, it’s vital to make sure that it’s a project that reflects what your teens are interested in and are able to do.
This can be something that tries to help the homeless or the elderly in your community, or a project that involves helping the environment on a local scale, such as planting trees or helping to clear trash.
The benefits of keeping it local is that your teens can see the real and immediate impact their hard work has on those around them. You can also talk to your teens afterwards about what they learnt from the experience, how they’d improve it, and to make a decision to do it again, either as a regular activity, or even an annual one.
And today we celebrate...