Bonding Without Going Overboard

Cardinals? Bears? Whatever team or sport it may be. Show an interest without faking enthusiasm Root for their team. Ask them how their team is doing. Showing an interest in their favorite sport or hobby. Make some snacks and watch the game with them or buy them tickets to a local sporting event.

Get cooking.

Whether it is a complete meal or just a batch of cookies spending some time in the kitchen together can be some quality yet casual hangout time. Let your teen pick a recipe or make a family favorite.

Take a class or lessons together.

Local community centers, gyms and even colleges offer a vast array of lessons and classes. Boxing, pottery, painting, sign language are some of the offerings that can be found. Pick up on your teens interests or try something totally new together.

Join a book club together or form your own.

Read the same book and then discuss it. Vampires, Science Fictions, Forensics, Travel or Romance the shelves of your local bookstore or library have something for everyone.

Ask them for help with cell phone, Ipod, computer. Let them feel needed and important but do not make it seem like a chore.

Honestly praise efforts when they honestly make an effort. When having a discussion ask for their input. Even if they don't get what they want being heard and listened to is important. Have dinner together. The table is a great place for small talk but not touchy subjects. Make dinner a relaxing time so your teen won't resist coming to the table.

Pick something out of ordinary like shooting range or go kart track. Being out of their familiar element can help teens have a great time and doing something new together is a great memory and small talk generator for future conversations.

If they are too cool to be see with their parent at a movie theater rent a movie to watch with them. Something current or get a cheesy Godzilla movie, popcorn and have fun movie night.

Helping others can be a great way to help your own relationship . Charity walk, run a 5K, volunteer at a soup kitchen, have them help you clean out basement or garage to donate to goodwill or homeless shelter.

Doing something together to help others can be an all around feel good for everyone.

Unless they have a friend with completely unacceptable behavior don't disparage their friends. Teens feel that if you don't accept their friends you don't accept them. Try to have fun even with their friend along. Wii, Rockband, road trips are great ways to spend time with your teen and their friend.

Don't force-friend yourself on their Myspace or Facebook. Try not to embarrass them in front of their friends. That can be tough to accomplish since sometimes your very existence is embarrassing to them but do try to be cool by not acting cool.

Ease into bonding opportunities. If you are not being fake or overbearing the more likely your teen is to respond. Let your teen know that you recognize that you may not understand everything they are going through but that you know that being a teen is not easy and that you are always there for them.