| Aaah, December! Cooler weather, fallen | | | | special dinner being prepared on a certain |
| leaves, shorter days, and the holiday season! | | | | day. Or it can be as simple as drinking |
| For some, the holiday season is filled with | | | | spiced cider while watching an old movie. As |
| parties, family get togethers, celebrations, | | | | stated, traditions create memories, and |
| and traditions. The change in music, | | | | memories invoke the senses. Perhaps you can |
| sights, and aromas remind us of this special | | | | still smell a certain baked good from past |
| time of year. Yet, if your family is like | | | | holidays. Or you can hear a special song |
| mine, it quite easily can be the busiest time | | | | that takes you back to a special time in your |
| of the year. So many things to do, so many | | | | life. My guess is that these special |
| places to be - all in the span of a few short | | | | memories were born out of a family tradition. |
| weeks! Are you concerned about keeping your | | | | |
| holiday spirit alive in the midst of the | | | | Don't have a lot of family traditions? The |
| chaos of the holiday season? Are you looking | | | | great thing about traditions is they can |
| for ways to connect with your teenager, as | | | | start at anytime. They do not have to be |
| this may be his last year at home or her | | | | great or huge, just repeated and meaningful. |
| first year as a teenager? Here are some tips | | | | Start a new holiday tradition just for you |
| on how to enjoy the holidays with your | | | | and your teenager. Perhaps adopt one from |
| teenager: | | | | another culture. |
| | | | |
| 1. Keep up the traditions | | | | 3. Don't get lost in the holiday blur |
| | | | |
| For some parents, this time of year is a huge | | | | The holiday season is synonymous with a lot |
| hassle. The shopping, the decorating, the | | | | of activity. Stores are open until late in |
| baking can leave you feeling frustrated and | | | | the evening. Perhaps you have a lot of office |
| tired. For others, it is very meaningful and | | | | of family parties to attend. You willingly |
| steeped in family traditions. And traditions | | | | rush to attend all of them for fear of not |
| are the gateway for happy childhood memories | | | | wanting to offend anyone. Likewise, your |
| of the past. Traditions and memories evoke | | | | teenager may have her own party list to |
| the senses and nostalgia in all of us. | | | | attend, gifts to purchase, and places to be. |
| | | | Yet, it is easy to lose sight of enjoying the |
| Have you ever wondered if family traditions | | | | holiday season as a family rather than |
| are important to your teenager? Are you | | | | individually. Make it a commitment to spend |
| starting to wonder if he even notices them? | | | | some time alone with your teenager. It |
| Well, the answers are yes and perhaps. | | | | could be as simple as having breakfast one |
| Teenagers can seem self absorbed and not | | | | morning or going to the malls on Black |
| really noticing the world around them. But | | | | Friday. |
| they are aware of their surroundings. | | | | |
| Traditions are important because they build | | | | 4. Teach that it is not all about the money |
| memories. And regardless of how silly they | | | | |
| are, memories make for a richer life and give | | | | Just as the holidays are busy, they can also |
| a sense of belonging. So, even if your | | | | be consumed by materialism and greed. This |
| teenager does not seem to notice them, keep | | | | is a great time of year to give as a family |
| up your traditions. | | | | to those that are less fortunate than you |
| | | | are. Find a service project to do together |
| Ask your daughter what her favorite holiday | | | | as a family. But rather than just do it |
| memory is and find away to celebrate it. Does | | | | once, consider volunteering throughout the |
| your son have a favorite holiday tradition? | | | | year. |
| The only way to find out is to ask! | | | | |
| | | | Are you looking for more common sense advice, |
| 2. Make new traditions | | | | practical solutions and even humor for |
| | | | parenting your teen? I invite you to check |
| A tradition is simply something we do | | | | out where you will find tips for parenting |
| repeatedly in the anticipation of a | | | | teens, school, curfew, and more! |
| celebration. It can be as elaborate as a | | | | |