Getting Kids to Talk -- Life With 3 Teens

on February 11, 2010 at 1:49 PM

Photo by RAZmom88

It's hard enough raising one teen -- but three?! Welcome to RAZmom88's wild and wonderful life this week.

Kids at the Casino

What a wonderful time we had this past weekend! On Saturday, my 18 year old Andrea, my mom, and I went to see the movie "Dear John." The movie was good and we had a great time. The tears just added to our "fun."

That night, Ryan, my 18 year old son, and Andrea went with a group of friends to a casino. It was their first time and they really enjoyed it. The eight kids got one motel room for the night, so you can imagine how much sleep everyone got. Ryan had to work Sunday, but Andrea slept all day.

Saturday night was also the Budweiser Shootout, for all of us NASCAR fans, which my husband and I happen to be. We've been to a few races, and so have the boys. The kids each have a favorite driver but they're not that into the races any more. Andrea is a Kasey Kahne fan and last year she got to meet him. I thought she would faint. I am so happy the racing season has begun. I can smell the fumes!

Super Bowl Sunday

The house was full of teens, and they were all Saints fans. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law from Indiana are Colts fans, and every time the Saints made a good play, someone would let Uncle Richie have it on Facebook. It's been several days and still no reply from Indiana.

Zack, 15, and his friend CJ stayed up all night, playing video games. When my alarm went off to take Andrea to school, they were still up. It's spirit week at the high school, and Monday was pajama day. Zack wore his Superman PJ's and C.J wore Zack's Batman PJ's.They were so cute.

I believe that when your kids get to the teenage years, you need to spend time with them. One of the ways I do this is by sharing an interest. Ask questions about what they like. If I can get a conversation started with them, the information just flows. You have to make them feel that the things that are important to them are important to you. So I buy the food and bake the cookies. I make sure I know what team I am suppose to be cheering for. I even know who Drew Brees is!

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What activities, hobbies or pastimes do you share with your teen? Do you feel it helps them open up to you a bit more?

In last week's episode ...

The Accident

Jilted Stepchildren

No Chores for My Kids

Driving Tests, Borrowing the Car

Dating Older Women

My Son Smoked Pot

Laptops and Lung Cancer

Too Young for Love?

Abusive Homes, Faith

Shopping and Sleeping Arrangements

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: activities, behavior, friends, life with 3 teens, sports, teens

Comments (3)

6in5years

on Feb 12, 2010 at 9:27 AM

Well you are way ahead of me because I have no idea who Drew Brees is ! lol

I do believe like you it is important to show interest in the things that your children are interested in. In fact I am almost positive that my DH & BIL would have rather headed off to see Metallica rather than Taylor Swift last October but my DD and niece had a blast with their Daddy's at the Taylor Swift concert.

I'm kinda glad my boys aren't really into watching professional sports because I am not sure I could even fake an interest ! lol

Wow ! The Casino. Really ? Well let them get some Independence. I can't even imagine ! It is nice to hear that your children are having these close sibling relationships with each other. My oldest sister is my best friend and I think sometimes my children can't stand to look at each other. Maybe as they get older................................I can only dream.

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MomIWant

on Feb 12, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Truthfully, my teens talked most at family dinners - which were mandatory 5 out of 7 days a week. They didn't like it when I "drilled" them with questions, so they would initiate topics of conversation. As a family, we are divided in entertainment - my daughter & I like to read, my husband & son like music, but if we were all in the same room I considered it a good day! haha

4kidz916

on Feb 12, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Go Brees!! lol One way I connect with my kids is by watching the games. We don't really follow football but we always watch the Superbowl. We do watch college basketball and we have a great time with our rivalries. We also have a movie night once a week with homemade pizzas. They have to gain some independance but family time is also fun and important.