Engaging your teen this holiday season

Maybe it’s a common occurrence in your teen household these days, or maybe this is a new season for your family. The little boy or girl who used to love decorating cookies, building snowmen, and making snow angels during the holidays has seemingly morphed into an unrecognizable, distanced, moody, half-child, half-adult creature. While raising teens can be challenging no doubt, there are some great ways to help engage them in this holiday season. Understanding a teen’s development and incorporating some of these ideas might help!
As children develop into teenagers, their brains are doing amazing things along the journey of becoming adults. The urge for social acceptance, finding their own identity, fitting in amongst peers, making their own decisions, understanding their own bodies, and determining purpose are at the forefront of their thoughts. As a result, they may put distance between themselves and parents, challenge rules, make rash decisions, and want more control over their lives. There is nothing wrong with these behaviors; many are typical of teenagers as they grow. 
So how do you as loving guardian apply this knowledge of a teen’s development and implement effective ways to engage your teens this holiday season? First of all, try not to take anything personally. Though teens are seeking independence, they still want and need your love and support. You just might have to try different approaches that speak to your teen’s heart.  
To avoid the eye rolling and sighs of despair this Christmas break, incorporate your teen in your holiday decision making. Where the family is going for dinner, what charity you want to donate to as a family, what goodies are going to be made, etc. are all areas where you can ask your teen to help make the decisions. Doing so will help them feel they have more of a say. Inviting them to show you something new in this area might also spark their interest and get your teen engaged.
Remembering a teen’s social life is a vital part of their existence is a great motivator to get creative with holiday get-togethers. While family time is also important, offer chances for your teen to be with their friends too. Plan fun cookie making contests, cocoa and popcorn bars, ski trips, sledding, holiday movie nights, and holiday scavenger hunts to get a whole mess of teens together, and let your teen help make the choices. 
Teens learn best when they can experience something first-hand. So if you are trying to teach them the spirit of giving, volunteering and creating opportunities for teens to serve and help others is a great way. For example, shovel the neighbor’s driveway, volunteer at places that help those less fortunate, help with a local toy drive, or play a fun ding-dong-ditch game delivering goodies to neighbors. Be sure your teen is the one actively participating in these experiences to really send the message you’re trying to convey home.
Raising and having teens in one’s life can certainly be challenging. Like with any challenge, however, there are so many unforeseen blessings that come along with it. Making yourself aware of teen development and behaviors, and incorporating new ideas into your holiday season to get them engaged can help you enjoy this season of life as well as the holiday season too.