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Give them some control over the situation.
- The holidays mean more family time, but, developmentally, teens are often pulling away from their parents - which means wrangling them for the holidays can be tough.
- Asking them how they want to be spending the holidays and making room for their activities can go a long way. And giving them choices in family situations makes that time feel a little better for them.
- Setting clear expectations ahead of time - and knowing which battles you want to pick - can also go a long way toward smoother family time.
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The holiday season usually means more family time. While that may make parents and grandparents feel warm and fuzzy, teens are more likely to roll their eyes at the thought of another family gathering.
It's developmentally normal for teens to pull away from their families and be more interested in time with friends. But it's okay to make family time more obligatory than usual during the holidays. These strategies can help keep your teens interested in family time during the holiday season.
