Now that school’s out for the summer, teens have more time on their hands and can find trouble in the most unexpected places. Sometimes teenagers have poor judgement, other times they’re curious or following their friends. Either way, you can’t be there every time your teen has to make a decision, so what can you do?
When you have the right support services by your side, you don’t have to fear the summer. Below are some of our best tips to having a successful summer with your teenager.
Find a Mentor for Your Child
One of the best decisions you can make for your child is to introduce them to a teen mentor. This individual can keep your teen busy, help them find healthy pastimes and keep them out of trouble. This is good for them and for you, especially if you’re out of the home during the day.
You can find trustworthy teen mentors at Bridge the Gap. We develop individualized mentoring plans that identify your child’s specific needs and the short- and long-term goals you want them to reach. Our therapeutic mentors will also assist with summer goals like tutoring and self-care.
Require Your Teen to Work
Kids tend to get in the most trouble when they have too much free time on their hands. Require your teenager to work this summer. There are plenty of ways to earn money such as:
-
Mowing lawns
-
Pulling weeds
-
Babysitting
-
Dog walking/pet sitting
-
Part-time job
-
Volunteer position
-
Coach or camp leader
Take things a step further by requiring your teen to pay for some of their car insurance or cell phone. Or have them “turn over” some of their money so that you can put it into savings. This teaches them how to manage their money and not spend it on immediate gratification.
Establish Clear Rules and Boundaries
Most teens work 10-20 hours a week, which means they still have plenty of time at home. Establish clear rules and boundaries that you expect your child to follow over the summer. If your rules are broken, you should have consequences. Some of the things to discuss with your teen are:
-
Curfews. What time do you expect your teen home at night? Make sure to follow your city’s curfew as well.
-
Communication. How will your teen keep in touch? Do you expect them to text or answer their phone at certain times?
-
Helping out around the home. Assign your teen some chores to do around the home. Everyone should do their part to help out with dishes, laundry, pet care, etc.
-
Safe driving. What rules does your teen have to follow when they take the car? They should also be reminded never to get in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.
Be sure to share these expectations with your child’s mentor so that they can support them as well.
Encourage Your Teen to Take Social Media Breaks
Too much time spent on social media can lead to trouble. It’s not healthy – even for adults. Require your teen to take breaks from social media each day. Keeping them busy throughout the week will naturally help with this, but it’s not a bad idea to schedule times when everyone in the home is technology free.
Many parents also find it helpful to “collect” phones at the end of the day. Otherwise, teens have the entire night to text, share, troll, scroll, etc. Spending hours upon hours on social media can be damaging to their mental health and self-esteem. Instead, they should use the evening hours to read a book, write in a journal or meditate.
Spend Time Together as a Family
There is no substitute to spending time as a family. Schedule things to do with your teen no matter what your family dynamics look like. You can go to the movies, volunteer at a local charity or enjoy nature activities together. Even simple things like cooking and eating together count. These activities create strong bonds between family members.
You can also find events like concerts or sports events to attend together. Buy the tickets in advance so that you can anticipate what’s to come. Your teen will also get to see a different side of you! Instead of always being in the parenting role, you can break down the barriers and enjoy shared interests with your child.
Bridge The Gap Offers Teen Mentorship Services
Contact Bridge The Gap today to learn more about our therapeutic teen mentoring services. These services can be adjusted to your child’s needs, whether they need help with summer school, making friends, practicing self-care or maintaining a healthy schedule. We’ll review the mentorship plan each week and make sure we are working toward your child’s goals.
Most importantly, know that you are not alone. You can enjoy a fun summer with your teen and keep them out of trouble by planning ahead and aligning yourself with the right resources.
