I DON'T DO TEENAGERS â—½ HOME
Do your teens know the classics, and have they been to a stage play, and do they listen to music other than the trends? I remember one day as an adult, I realized that I had missed a lot of cultural introductions as a child, so I began to enjoy them as a grownup. And then I purposed to make sure my teens and now my kids’ teens are introduced to a few good things:
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Musicals – You can do it big and purchase Broadway tickets, or you can attend a local community theater where singing takes place in a show. Whichever you choose, consider making it a big night by dressing up and having dinner, etc. You can even purchase on Amazon accessories to wear to the big event. For example, if the show is My Fair Lady, search for My Fair Lady Accessories! Talk about the show afterwards over root beer floats…if you didn’t go to dinner before.
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Symphonies – Summer is a great time to head to outdoor symphonies if you can find them. Or indoor ones often are hosted by churches.
Search your area. You could even find out the music playlist and talk about the composers before you go. Dress up for the occasion, and take the kids for a decadent chocolate dessert after. Our city has outdoor summer symphonies that are free – a win-win! Teach your teens to close their eyes and listen to the movement without lyrics and enjoy…
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Fancy Table – Consider printing out a table setting guide and encouraging your teens to set the table one night for the family, fancy style. It doesn’t have to be fine China, or it could be if you have it. But even pretty paper plates and napkins and plastic utensils can be used for a fancy setting. Give them a few fancy appetizer recipes to put together, and maybe a dessert. Ask them to choose music and a centerpiece for the table (fresh flowers, make their own, candles, something they decide!) They can have a theme or not. They can even make place cards if they wish. Applaud them when the dinner is over and help them clean up!
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Family Dance Night – Do your kids know the waltz? Do you? It might be fun to search YouTube for a waltz lesson for the family, push back the furniture and create a dance space. Practice together and then try it out to a waltz tune, together. Invite each one to show up at a certain time, dressed up, for a dance night. Provide fancy mocktails for sipping and some fresh baked cookies for nibbling. Laugh and compliment and then take a twirl and bow.
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Garden Strolls – Is there a garden near you that you can take your teens to, for strolling and observing nature’s beauty? Do it! Dress in summer’s finest and head to a pretty garden center or a garden tour, or any place that has beauty to see outdoors. Talk about the plants, the herbs, the trees, and become well versed in plant life. Then let your teens plant an herb garden in a pot outdoors, if you don’t have one. They can start with just three herbs – rosemary, thyme and mint. Show them a stovetop potpourri mix of these three, with lime slices and a teaspoon of vanilla – and put this in water and simmer. Prepare a garden salad and enjoy.
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Maybe you’re already thinking of the eye rolls your teens are going to give you on any one of the above suggestions. Just state that there are no eye rolls allowed, only good family time fun. And make it a regular thing. They’ll have memories to last a lifetime. And they’ll develop skills as you introduce them to life’s little pleasures.