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