Big kids crave one-on-one time with their parents. It’s so important to keep our dates with them. We’ll never regret it.

Faith-Filled Encouragement for Moms of Tweens and Teens
Big kids crave one-on-one time with their parents. It’s so important to keep our dates with them. We’ll never regret it.
(Inside: Moms, we think it’s just our family at the dinner table, another meal, nothing special, but it’s so much more than that…)
Moms, we think it’s just dinner, but we forget.
It’s not just noodles, a jar of spaghetti sauce, and a side of broccoli.
Or pizza showing up at our door.
Or chicken sandwiches ordered from a booth.
It’s a place to unpack your thoughts and process your day. To be heard and to listen. And for your family to speak truth and encouragement into each other’s lives.
It’s a place to just focus on eating because everyone’s too tired to talk, but it’s your safe place to simply sit and be. The dinner table is a place to belong.
It’s a place for good conversations. And belly laughs. And heated debates. And dumb topics. And intellectual thoughts.
It’s a pause in life to soak in the people you love. To refuel your body. To show and receive emotional support. To create and deepen family connections. To nurture a sense of belonging.
Life gets busy and this certainly isn’t going to happen every single night.
But, that rhythm of continually coming back to family meals.
It’s not just dinner.
It’s life.
We all want to feel connected to our family. I know, I do.
One of my favorite things to do with my family is to create family time. Yes, life gets busy, and no I don’t do this all perfectly (who actually does!?!), but it sure is fun to try.
I hope you enjoy these family connection articles and ideas too…
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
400+ Great Conversation Starters for Families of Teens
7 Powerful Reasons to Pray as a Family (+ Prayer Journal)
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
My Big Kids, No Matter How Fast Your Grow, I’ll Always Be Your Mom
Moms of Big Kids, Get Lost in Motherhood if You Want
CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS
30+ Ways to Connect With Your Family Over the Holiday Season
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s an amazing life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kids, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get encouragement in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community here or below.
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
(Inside: Do you want good conversation starters for your teens? Or great questions to ask your teens to help them open up to the family? Read on…)
Moms want to connect with their teens. We want to know what our teens love and don’t, what’s going well and isn’t, how they best feel heard and loved, and about their friendships, school, and life.
We want to know how they think.
We want to know what makes them happy.
And I could keep listing because the truth is we want to know everything about our teens – we want to know who those sweet babies that we carried and nurtured and rocked are growing up to be.
Similarly, teens want to be heard. They want to be seen, loved, and wanted by their parents. Even when they are at their worst, they still want their parents to pursue them, over and over telling (and showing) them they are worthy and loved.
However, life isn’t flawless. Teens can hold it together all day and fall apart when they come home, their moodiness tearing through the house with unbridled force. Or they find themselves lost in stress, or emotions or impulsiveness or self-sabotaging or apathy. But, as moms, we don’t buy any I-don’t-need-you signs. Not even one pennyworth – our teens long to connect with their families.
As my sons grew older, I wanted to add tools to my box of ways to connect with them. In my high school classroom (I’ve taught for 20+ years), I’ve noticed that when I put students in small groups and had them answer anywhere from dumb to ridiculous to basic to thought-provoking questions, kids came alive. They loved sharing their thoughts and flourished in the framework of the presented questions. So, I took this idea home and found my quiet sons opening up with these conversation starters – be still, my heart.
But not everyone feels like opening up at all times. Some teens love to jump into all the talking, while others need to warm up. So, these conversation starters include a variety of questions like…
Then these questions are broken into three categories, depending on how deep you want to go with the people involved in the discussion:
I’ve found the most success with these questions when I’ve made “a thing” of it. Meaning, just like when we’ve declared family movie night, we plan a family discussion time where everyone is prepared to talk. Here are some ideas of what this could look like:
Remember, the goal of the conversations is for those involved in the discussion to connect. So even if it’s not all going perfectly, if everyone is talking and laughing and getting to know each other – we’ve nailed it.
1. What’s that one funny thing that pops into your head when you’re supposed to be serious (at church, in class, at a funeral) that will make you laugh every time?
2. Is chili considered a soup? Yes or No. Is lasagna a casserole? Yes or No.
3. Would you rather be someone who makes a ton of money but isn’t sure if you made a positive
impact on the world or someone who made very little financially but touched many people’s lives?
4. When you’re having a terrible day, what do you do to calm yourself down and shake the stress?
5. If you just got elected governor of your state and you could make one rule that the whole state had to follow, what rule would it be?
7. What’s a bad habit you wish you could break? Or which bad habit do you have, but you don’t care one bit about giving it up?
8. What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
9. What’s the class at school that has the best environment? What’s the subject you find the most interesting? Which class do you have the most friends in?
10. What age do you think is the best to be? Why?
11. What is your favorite app on your phone? What’s one app that you really should give up?
12. Would you rather own your own business with some risk but more earning potential or would you rather work for someone else and have a stable income that covers your expenses but not much more?
Click the below link to grab the conversation starters for families of teens. As a bonus, I’ll add you to my monthly(ish) parenting tweens and teens inspirational email list. The monthly emails are free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s an amazing life-phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kid, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get encouragement in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life-chapter. It’s totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community here or below.
My oldest son started high school last week and I’m still in a coma because of it. Even though I’ve taught high school for over two decades, I’m confused as to how I’m actually old enough to be a parent of a high schooler.
Teaching high schoolers has always been a passion of mine, but not parenting them is as well. I could research, write, and talk about this topic until eternity. I hope you are encouraged by some of my articles.
TEACHING GRIT
The Pandemic is Shaping Kids in These 6 Powerful Ways
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TEENS
A Simple and Effective Way to Encourage Your Teen
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR TWEEN/TEEN
How to Get Your Teen/Teen to Their “Aha Moment”
How to Get Your Tween/Teenage Son to Open Up to You
PARENTING
Parenting is Hard: This One Thought Can Help You Better Thrive
7 Reasons Why Raising Tweens & Teens is the Best
Dear Kids – Know the Difference Between “Chores” and “Maintenance”
I Will Miss These Years of Raising Tweens and Teens
To the Mom of a High School Freshman
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
(Inside: Best family movies for tweens and teens. Get the ultimate list of movies for tweens and teens that your family will love.)
A big bowl of popcorn, the family piled on the couch, and a great movie – those are some of my best childhood memories.
Now as a mom, after a busy week, it feels so good to crash on the couch with my favorite people and watch something great.
So I made an ultimate go-to list of best family movies. Of course, all movies aren’t best for every family, it depends on the ages of your kids, their interests, and how good you are with the fast-forward button. But, all the below movies are PG-13 (except one) or lower and have solid storylines.
I hope you find something your family will like.
**This blog post contains affiliate links, which mean if you purchase through the link, I get a small commission at no extra charge to you.**
See 100 more best musical movies here, but listed below are my favorites.
For more comedy movies go here and here.
Related article: 146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that Will Also Build Character
Related Article: One Thing Every Middle School Parent Should Know
We’re huge Marvel fans and have watched all of these movies, except Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes 1 & 2 aren’t our favorite for family movies. If you’d like to know the chronological order in which to watch the Marvel movies, check out this website.
Click here to see a list of all Disney Movies. I listed my recommendations below.
Click here to see a list of all Disney Movies. I listed my recommendations below.
Click here to see a list of all Disney Movies. I listed my recommendations below.
Related article: Best Family Devotions That Create Family Connection
DC movies are a bit dark for our family; we don’t watch all of them. I listed the movies we like; however, if you want to see a full list of DC movies go here.
Your brain bounces between your day at work, what time(s) your kids need to be at practice, your teen’s missing school assignments, that you haven’t called your mom lately, the load of the laundry to be switched, “What’s for dinner?” and “Why are 3 of my brain-tabs frozen?”
You are raising tweens and teens – the unique parenting phase where everything gets easier…and harder.
We’re finally believing all those “they grow so fast” comments. This is your last hurray with kids in your home and you want to love every minute.
You’re taking a second look at your career, your hobbies, how to share your gifts and talents.
Parenting grows your faith and then makes you wonder where your faith is.
You long for friendships and deep relationships, but you’re just so busy.
You’d love a quick place to connect and feel encouraged.
Join the hundreds of other women who’ve signed up for Empowered Moms and Kid’s inspirational monthly emails. You’ll look forward to opening them. (Plus, it’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.)
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
(Inside: Exercise ideas for teens that will help spark a love of movement. These home exercises can help your family feel happy and healthy during the quarantine.)
We’re 11 days into this coronavirus-stay-at-home pandemic and here’s what I’m learning. When spending every waking second together, if we don’t exercise, we get a little, ahem, shall I say…temperamental…
Growling becomes our thing. It’s really, really…NOT lovely.
But, exercise helps.
A lot.
Moving our bodies lifts our spirits and makes us kinder, gentler people.
However, even though our brains know this, our bodies want to eat Cheetos and watch superhero movies. We have to force ourselves to push past I-don’t-feel-like-it and just start.
Since PE class is canceled, sports seasons are postponed and friends aren’t allowed over, we’ve had to be creative and intentional about trying to move for 30-60 minutes a day in our home.
We’ve made it a family expectation, and honestly, staying consistent(ish) with it is going fairly well. We all seem to like our chosen activity.
So, here are some awesome ideas to release those happy endorphins, written specifically for teens, but also for siblings and parents…
Related article: Compelling Books High Schoolers Will Want to Read
If your teen loves sports, this quarantine is an awesome opportunity to work on their skills. Teens can research drills for their sport and come up with a training plane. Here are some ideas:
For those who don’t love high-endurance exercising, yoga just might be perfect for them. The stretching and breathing can be an instant mood booster. Here are a few places to start:
Time to stop using the treadmill or bike to hang your laundry on… Dust it off, tuck earbuds in, crank up the music or inspirational podcasts and get that body moving.
Related article: 146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that Will Also Build Character
I grew up in small homes on the various military bases my dad was stationed – we didn’t ever have extra space for equipment. My dad would set a timer and huff it up and down the stairs. Even 10 or 15 minutes will help us all break a sweat.
We can grab our dogs (coronavirus is the best thing that’s happened to them), a skateboard, favorite music and enjoy a walk. There’s nothing like nature.
Related article: 15+ Best Podcasts to Inspire and Motivate Our Teen Boys
There’s a reason why biking is so popular, it’s so much fun. Rekindle the love of two wheels and enjoy being outside through biking.
Related Link: Everything’s been canceled – but, love hasn’t…
I threw on a song and pulled out my nineties moves. My boys were not into it… They ran. But, that’s exercise too so I’m calling it a parenting win.
However, for those that like to dance, here are some fun videos:
There are so many great videos that focus on strength and conditioning. I can usually talk myself into 10 minutes. Then once I’ve warmed up, I can talk myself into one more video. Here are a few of my favorites:
I forgot how much I like a quality exercise video. These are some good ones:
Kickboxing makes exercising way more fun. Here are some quality routines:
There are so many ways to move that don’t feel like exercising because they’re fun:
I saved the best for last and I’m so incredibly serious about this idea. I can work up a sweat cleaning out closets, vacuuming, and moving laundry around. Multitask by cleaning/organizing/purging clutter. Get your sweat on and see your rewarding result – a clean, organized room. Need inspiration? Watch Marie Kondo on NetFlix. Or watch her tips below. (Grab a family cleaning chart to help things go well here.)
A clean, tidy space is so nice to walk into – this could be your room!
What’s your favorite way to exercise? Email me or let me know in the comments.
The other day, I saw of picture of when my kids were little (like when I wrote this post), and I thought I so deeply want to go back to this season of life. I miss it.
But just as quickly as that thought came, another thought followed Someday, I will see pictures of my current parenting phase (raising tweens and teens) and wish to come back to today.
So, I want to do my best to enjoy this season of life. These ideas on how to connect with and entertain tweens and teens can help…
INSPIRATION
How a Messy House is Good for Your Kids
IDEAS
85+ Kids Activities That Promote Creativity
READING
146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that will Also Build Character
Compelling Books That High Schoolers Will Want to Read
EXERCISE
Home Exercises for Your Teens & the Whole Family (Feel Healthy & Happy)
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s an amazing life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kids, feel empowered in your personal growth, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get inspiration, resources, and stories in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community here or below.
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
(Inside: Communicating with your teen can be hard. If you are wondering how to better communicate with your tweens or teens, here’s a proven method that works.)
“So, how exactly are you going to graduate.” (She’s no dummy.) She pulls up his transcript. He’s failing all of his third-trimester junior classes, so mathematically isn’t able to earn enough credits his senior year to graduate. He’s refusing credit recovery or summer school. He insists it will all work out in the next year even though the math in front of him is showing him it’s impossible. (Another confirmation he needs to retake algebra.)
Moms, we love our teens. So, it can be so hard when we see a piece of our hearts (walking around in the form of a tall lanky, human being with braces) making poor choices.
When our kids are self-sabotaging how do we get them to see the light? How do we talk to them so they are intrinsically motivated to take the next right step? How do we get them to a powerful “ah-ha” moment?
We start with what our gut is urging us to do…we talk to our kids…
There are two ways our conversations with our kids sometimes unfold:
Let’s look closer at both conversation methods…
Moms, we mean well, but sometimes, like a freight train on steroids, our talks quickly go from listening to lecturing. For example, here’s how a condensed conversation might go…
Mom: I’ve noticed this problem.
Kid: Yeah, me too.
Mom: The problem is… And you shouldn’t do that because of (moms insert all the reasons and her wisdom here.)
Kid: Okay…
So mom revs up her loudest voice. (Yelling is most definitely the solution. Kid can for sure hear me if I yell.)
Kid zones out what is being said because she’s getting yelled at then walks away feeling angry, disappointed, and regretful. However, kid is not focused on the wisdom yelled at her, but rather the yelling itself.
Mom hates that she had to yell and instantly feels guilty. However, the silver lining is that much wisdom was at least shared. (I said what I need to say and now, certainly, my daughter will make a change. However, why do I always have to yell to get her there?)
The next day kid repeats the poor choices.
But there’s another way to communicate – one that high school teachers (I am one), counselors, and other professionals working with teens have repeatedly proven effective. Let’s look at the questioning method.
In this method, the mom keeps asking questions until she is able to lead her kids to a healthy solution that the kid came up with on his/her own.
(Know this about me: I believe that all kids want to be successful and proud of who they are. I encourage moms to look for that spark in the conversation that proves this.)
Mom: I saw that your missing 15 homework assignments.
Kid: Yeah, so what.
Mom: Do you like that you’re missing that many homework assignments?
Kid: I don’t know, not really.
Mom: Why are you missing so much homework?
Kid: I don’t know, I just don’t like to do it.
Mom: What about it don’t you like?
Kid: It takes so long. I feel unmotivated to sit down in the evening.
Mom: What spot in the house do you feel most motivated to work?
Kid: I guess the kitchen table.
Mom: When do you feel most motivated to do homework?
Kid: I guess in the evening. I need a break after school.
Mom: Okay, so how can I help you make sure you set up a routine that will help you be successful?
Kid: I guess just help remind me that from 6:00-7:00 is homework time.
Mom: What should you do about all the missing homework assignments?
Kid: I’ll find out what I can make up and finish them.
Mom: Okay, when will you have them done by?
Kid: Give me two days. I’ll work in my study hall.
And if needed – again! Momma, you are a boss woman!
You recovered from a horrendous c-section.
You juggle a job and bills and highlighting your grey hair.
You will not let this teenager get the best of you.
Deep breaths – you are calm, saintly, and pure.
Tweens and teens are tricky. There they want to please their parents and do the right thing, but they sometimes get lost in the many layers of being a teen. But, still, they have pride, want independence, and crave parent approval – this method meets all three of your kids’ wants:
Let me emphasize again that I gave a condensed version, but expect the conversation to be much more work.
I wrote out the condensed version of how to lead your teen to their own “aha moment,” but this video models it. The counselor walks through:
Watch until the end and see how the Questioning Method can be powerful and effective.
If you look at the curriculum of subjects in schools, we teach and re-teach the same material (but add a little more depth) from kindergarten through 12th grade. My second grader brought home a geometry concept I was working on with my 10th graders, and I about fell over.
But, it makes sense. We need to see content multiple times to remember it. You might get your kid to the aha moment (“Now, I get why I should be responsible”), but remember he/she is continually learning the necessary behavior to support these new responsible actions.
Parents, being patient and consistent (so hard!) will help our kids relearn and remember the next right step they came up with for themselves.
Change is slow, but the work is important.
Keep talking to your kids. Reteach that “aha” moment. Keep moving forward.
Moms, our work is vital. If you are willing to invest this time learning how to better talk to your kids – you are a rockstar. You kids hit the parenting jackpot. And if they don’t know it, they will.
In the future, I bet how lucky they are to have you as a mom will be one of their “aha” moments.
My oldest son started high school last week and I’m still in a coma because of it. Even though I’ve taught high school for over two decades, I’m confused as to how I’m actually old enough to be a parent of a high schooler.
Teaching high schoolers has always been a passion of mine, but not parenting them is as well. I could research, write, and talk about this topic until eternity. I hope you are encouraged by some of my articles.
TEACHING GRIT
The Pandemic is Shaping Kids in These 6 Powerful Ways
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TEENS
A Simple and Effective Way to Encourage Your Teen
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR TWEEN/TEEN
How to Get Your Teen/Teen to Their “Aha Moment”
How to Get Your Tween/Teenage Son to Open Up to You
PARENTING
Parenting is Hard: THis One Thought Can Help You Better Thrive
7 Reasons Why Raising Tweens & Teens is the Best
You just dropped your kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s a fantastic life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kid, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get encouragement in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community here or below.
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
The importance of grandparents grows even more when you are raising kids. It’s so nice to have the grandparent’s help.
Growing up, my friends’ families vacationed at Disneyworld or sandy beaches. But, not my family. We went to Colorado Springs.
I loved our vacation spot for one big reason: my grandparents lived there. When we’d visit my grandparents, we’d also get to spend time with all of the extended family – aunts, uncles, and about a billion cousins. (It’s been joked that if you find yourself in Colorado Springs needing a ride, just stand at the corner and start hollering the family name. Some “Stegner” will be near to help.)
In contrast, raised as a military kid, my immediate family’s roots never ran deep. Just as soon as I’d familiarized myself with the neighborhood, settled into school, and made friends, we picked up and moved. (Again.) Even though I loved the adventurous life of an Air Force family, I was also drawn to the stability of a giant family (with grandparents!) who shared a town. To me, Colorado Springs was sacred.
{Fast forward.}
When my husband and I were trying to decide where to put down our own roots, I wanted to recreate that Colorado Springs experience. So, we weighed the options: live in Illinois (my parents) or Minnesota (my in-laws and their extended family).
Minnesota won.
In raising older kids, I’ve never been more grateful to live close to a set of grandparents. (And that the other set – my parents – visit often.) What a blessing both sets of grandparents are to us…an epic blessing.
I’ve found in raising tweens and teens, we need the grandparents more than ever, and here’s why:
There’s a short list of people who truly love your kids as selflessly and wholeheartedly as you. The grandparents are on that list. With them, you can unleash all of your braggings about your kid and the grandparents actually want to hear your lack of humbleness! It’s lovely to share such love for tall, gangly humans with crackly voices and acne with someone else. (You complete us, grandparents. You. Complete. Us.)
Our family loves being involved; it’s fun to watch our kids learn and flourish in activities. However, our schedule stretches my husband and me as thin as paper. So, it’s ah-maze-ing when the grandparents dive in and cart our kids around to soccer games and basketball tournaments.
Similarly, I have a friend whose dad does all the boy scout activities with her son – it’s their special thing. And another friend whose son’s grandpa is in charge of his music lessons. Then there are the grandmas who help working parents with sick kids and take-your-dog-to-the-school-picnic day.
Grandparents who jump in and help out – let us all rise up and call you beloved. (I’m so serious.)
Related article: 146+ Chapter Books for Tweens That Will Also Build Character
I used to talk about my kid’s silly words, tantrums, and diaper blowouts with the moms in my MOPS group. (Mother of Preschoolers) But, now I can’t. My kids tell me things they don’t want laughed about or spread around like wildfire. But still, moms need a safe, nonjudgmental place to unravel our parenting thoughts. Grandparents provide that safe place.
If just even one of the four grandparents show up for a game or concert, my kids feel like a million bucks. The more people who love my kids and cheer them on the better!
I can tell my kids a thousand times that they need to read because it’s vital to their education and I get crickets. But when grandma buys them a new book and encourages them to enjoy it, all of a sudden reading is the best thing ever. Those important life lessons we so desperately want our kids to learn…sometimes the grandparents can drive home the point from a new angle or using a different style and it works. I’m pretty sure that’s called everyone is winning.
Related article: Keep Track of ALL THE THINGS in Style (Free Weekly Planner!)
There’s something life-giving about hearing your mom, dad or in-laws say, “Good job!” or “I’m grateful for you!” or “I love you!” Or notice that you could use a dinner out. (“Bring the family – we’ll pay!”) Or bring you a glass of peach sweet tea for no reason. (Awwww…you noticed me!) Grandparents, your kind words mean more to us than we sometimes even realize.
Mommas, yes, we want our teens to tell us everything. (Ah…sweet, utopia…) But, sometimes, there’ll be moments, when they need to talk to someone other than us. (Or instead of us.) So, it’s nice to have trusted adults who will help our kids gain perspective, feel cherished, and know they’re loved. Both kids and parents benefit from a wide support group.
My kids love that when their nana and papa come to visit. They explore museums, putt-putt golf, and make an abundance of chocolate chip cookies. My kids talk about the visit for months.
My in-laws (who live in town) are a staple in my kids’ lives. If my kids haven’t seen their grandparents in a few days, they bug us to see them. They even online shop with grandma over the phone. (“Mom, the amazon price has dropped, can I call grandma and let her know?”) (I’m not even kidding.)
By interacting with their grandparents, my kids are learning to engage with people and build cherished, healthy relationships. (My kids also learn to love unconditionally, because we’re family. We’re not perfect, but we always come back to loving each other.)
Most of those Colorado trips I remember so fondly ended up being just to see my grandma and the rest of the extended family. My grandpa died from Parkinson’s disease young. (I was only 12.) Similarly, I have dear friends whose parents are gone, or never visit, or are too busy living their own lives. Also, I have friends whose family drama has cast a dark shadow and the relationship isn’t there. So, I don’t take for granted two sets of active, healthy grandparents. And if you are in my boat, I bet you don’t either…
To the grandparents who love us so well – thank you. Thank you for being our “support staff.” (As my parents call themselves.) We cherish all the encouragement, listening, and rides for our kids. I know we often forget to tell you, so we’re saying it now: thank you.
Thank you for loving us so well. You are a sacred part of our lives and the moments spent with your grandkids – they will always be remembered.
And cherished.
Forever.
Just like you. You are deeply loved.
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s a fantastic life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kid, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get encouragement in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community below.
I was always the girl who moved. After I just unpacked my things into a new home and made it my own, found a church and started making a connection with my faith family, met the neighbors and began to enjoy living by new people, formed my friend group at school together and started to grow close to them – just when I would grow roots, my dad would get his orders.
As the daughter of an Air Force rescue helicopter pilot, I grew up moving every few years. (And sometimes few months, as we’d be in transition waiting for my dad to finish training or for a house to open up on base for us to live.) Moments were hard, but also, the life of a military kid was a great gift.
I learned so much, especially about the importance of community. I became a joiner.
Moms, there will be seasons for all of us when friendships feel hard, but still – we fight for community. We continue to work on building our friend group around us through church, neighbors, moms we meet through our kids, work, and more.
Because we need good people in our lives and people need us! Be encouraged by reading more articles on building your community:
The Power of Encouragement: Moms Need It More Than You Know
In Raising Older Kids: This Is Why You Need The Grandparents EVEN MORE
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
(Inside: We want to raise creative kids who grow up and create better technology, cure the diseases we couldn’t, and make this world a better place. This post contains 85+ kids’ activities that promote creativity and help your raise creative kids.)
All the high-fives and wahoos and dancing feet happened yesterday, the last day of school. But, then your kid woke up today – the start of summer – and the first words out of his/her mouth were…
“I’m bored.”
But I thought…
We’ve been counting down to your “freedom” for months…
When I was a kid it was easy to find something to do…
(Face to palms. *Somebody help.*)
Here’s what I think happens. Our kids’ school years are saturated with school, homework, sports, band concerts, and activities…all good things, but… The downside to busy-school-year-schedules mixed with screen time is that something else is constantly entertaining our little humans. They forget the creativity in them. Which we don’t want…we want to raise creative kids who grow up and create better technology, cure the diseases we couldn’t, and make this world a better place.
But now – our kids have the key ingredient needed to unlock their creative minds…time. We just might need to nudge them to start.
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try”
Dr. Seuss
Below are ideas for your kids to spark their creativity this summer. They’re broken up into different categories with links to videos, articles, and inspiration. However, if you want a tidier, more concise printable of the 80+ kids’ activities that promote creativity to put on your fridge CLICK HERE. I’ll email it to you instant access to the freebie library that contains that printable and more.
Also, you might want to PIN THIS POST HERE to come back to later. And/or have your child bookmark this page on their tablet for when they need creative inspiration.
We want to raise creative kids who will one day create better technology, cure diseases we couldn't and make this world a better place. Get a list of 85+ kids' activities that promote creativity. #RaiseEmpoweredKids Click To Tweet
**This blog post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase from the link, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.**
1. Have a “dumb jokes” contest: Face each other and take turns telling your best dumb jokes. Both participants must keep a straight face. The first person to crack a smile loses. Watch Dude Perfect’s Bad Joke Telling Contest here for inspiration.
Need a great jokebook? Check out the below from the library:
2. Play minute it to win it: Grab a sibling, friend, or parent and watch Minute to Win It here for inspiration. Now make up your own games.
3. Play capture the flag: Invite the neighbor kids or other friends and make your game epic. Here are the rules:
4. Start a Nerf Gun Battle: Put out tables and other places in your yard to hide behind. Aliens are invading and you must defend your home. Imagine the scariest aliens you can and don’t let them “take you.” Or invent your version of this game. Nerf gun ideas here.
5. Learn to yo-yo: Try yo-yo tricks like the ones below.
6. Rediscover the absolute JOY of classic games: Check out jacks, pick-up sticks, cats-cradle, and checkers. Ask around – someone you know has these games. Or grab a different board game. Create a tournament, change up the rules, just have fun.
7. Race your remote control cars: Make courses with ramps or other cool paths and race your remote control cars. Watch Dude Perfect here for inspiration.
8. Play these games:
9. Write your own adventure book:
10. Make a comic book: Read Calvin and Hobbes for inspiration.
(Beware parents, my son read this, put his little brother in a wagon, and pushed him down the hill like Calvin did to Hobbes. Leading his tearful little brother nursing his arm inside the house my older son says, “At least I had him wear a helmet!” Awesome. *Kids, do NOT try this at home.*)
11. Go on an adventure in your backyard: Read the adventure books like Magic Tree House, Swiss Family Robinson, Nancy Drew, The Prince Warriors…then dream up and execute your own adventure. Except it has to happen in your own backyard, like Phineas and Ferb or The Backyardigans.
12. Write a letter to someone: Get super creative and make your letter artsy and interesting. The fun part is – the friend you write to just might write back.
13. Read. Read. Read. Books are the best thing ever! You can experience new things and go to awesome places from the comfort of your home. Your teachers aren’t just telling you to read to torture you, they’re giving you a gift! Embrace it!
14. Check out books on tape from the library: Enjoy listening to the story as you play with your favorite toys.
15. Create a news story: Pretend you’re a reporter and interview people, play with stringing your words together creatively to tell the story in a concise interesting way like seen on television. Record it to share with others.
16. Find five words you didn’t know in the dictionary: Use one of those words to use in your conversation for the rest of the day.
17. Create a book club: Pick a book, invite your friends and meet a handful of times over the summer to discuss what you read. Answer these questions (Or come up with your own):
18. Journal: Use writing prompts or just write a little bit each day about whatever is on your mind. You’ll have fun looking back and reading what you wrote. I love this beautiful leather journal, and here are writing prompts to get you started:
Need more inspiration? Read or watch the captivating story of the writer Jo March from Little Women.
CLICK HERE and I’ll email you a link to the freebie library where you can download a tidier, more concise printable of this list to put on your fridge. |
19. Recreate Chopped (The Food Network Show) using what’s in your pantry (Watch inspiration here.): For example,
20. Research the best food places in your area: Read online reviews, interview your friends and neighbors and come up with a fun place for your family to go out to eat. Tell your family why you choose this restaurant.
21. Learn to bake: With a parent, bake bread, cakes, pies…and take them to the neighbors to say thank you for being such great people.
22. Pack a picnic lunch: Eat in your backyard or at your local park. No need to make the food boring – get creative with what you pack. Check out fun lunch ideas here.
23. Bob for apples: On a hot day, fill your kid pool with water and try to catch the apples with your teeth. Now, what other games can you come up with using the apples and pool?
24. Plan dinner for your family and help cook it: You’ll get to eat something you know you’ll like AND, more importantly, you’ll make your family so happy!
25. Make a museum: Collect rocks and outside stuff and set up a museum. Invite your friends over to see it.
(Parents, my kids worked for hours with the neighbor girls on their below museum. They made $160 in admission donations for charity. Who knew THAT would happen when I said NO (again) to video games?)
26. Be a scientist:
27. Build an entire city with Legos: Make it like The Lego Movie, but it’s of your design and your creation. (Throw away the instructions and become a MASTER BUILDER.)
28. Put together a model airplane or car: Follow the directions or don’t. It’s your thing.
29. Rearrange and redesign your room: It’s your space, make it a place you love to be. Update it and make it more appropriate for your school grade. Highlight your interests, your hobbies and things that inspire you. (Look at these fun kids rooms for inspiration.)
30. Make a fort in the backyard or house: In your house use blankets, pillows and rearranged furniture. In your backyard, use tarps, wood, a swing set, boxes and outdoor furniture. (Check out cool fort ideas here.)
31. Create something useful out of recyclable items: Be inspired by the house Tom Kelly made out of bottles in the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada. Watch this video here – it’s amazing!
32. Create a classroom. You be the teacher and come up with activities to do with your students. Grab your friends to help you entertain the younger kids. Develop your leadership skills as you create your classroom.
33. Watch the sunset: Grab a popsicle, sit on your deck and take in the golden hues.
34. Play with your toys: Go nuts. Pull all your toys out, create adventures, and unfold your stories with your toys as the inspiration hits you.
35. Cloud watching: Lay in a hammock or on the ground (with sunglasses) and watch the clouds go by. What shapes/images do you see in the clouds?
36. Embrace boredom: Lay on the couch or your bed and let your mind wander. What do you think of? Share your thoughts with your parents.
37. Create a gratitude journal or video diary: List everything you are thankful for. It’ll be a quick “mood booster!”
38. Coach a Sport: Watch online videos of your favorite sport or a sport you want to learn and be your own coach. Train yourself or getting a group of friends together and coach each other. Develop your leadership skills while conquering your activity.
Online Videos:
39. Play games on the trampoline:
40. Run and jump: Who can jump the highest? Who can run the fastest? Create a cool course. Enjoy running and jumping.
41. Play American Ninja Warrior: Go to the local park or set up an obstacle course in your backyard. Watch here for inspiration
42. Play soccer or volleyball with the sprinklers going: (My youngest declared this the best soccer game he’d ever played!)
43. Make your own putt-putt course: Be super creative and have the ball go under, around and over objects. Be inspired by this video of a homemade golf course a dad made for his son.
44. Get on wheels: Skateboard, rollerblade, bike, find something with wheels and explore your corner of the world from it.
45. Go for a walk or jog: Grab a water bottle and make a parent come with you. Notice all the sights and sounds around you. Chat about what’s on your mind.
46. Practice trick shots: Dude Perfect is the best at this. Watch their trick shots with:
47. Fish: Bait your fishing rod and go after some catch and release. (My niece caught a catfish in the smallest of ponds. We couldn’t believe it.)
48. Embrace beach life: Hang out at the beach or lake and build sandcastles, find sea/lake creatures, collect shells, splash through the water, snorkel…entertainment will find you.
49. Hike: Find a new hiking trail you haven’t been on and dominate it like a champ.
50. Catch frogs and crawfish in the stream: Look at them closely, notice everything about them, then carefully put them back.
51. Plant a fairy garden in a pot: Buy inexpensive succulents, then use your Legos, princess figures, Star Wars figures and other small toys you have to create the look you want.
52. Plant a garden: Plant seeds or move plants around. Ask friends/neighbors if they have any perennial plants to split. Add cool rocks you’ve found on hikes/vacations or paint rocks for decoration. Go to the dollar store and find cool things to accent your garden. Enjoy creating using nature.
53. Play in the rain: Jump through puddles, sing, dance, or play mud volleyball. Enjoy the cool water.
54. Fold Origami: Grab some fun paper and learn to fold it into beautiful things. Watch these videos of how to create:
55. Learn to sew. Two of my three boys loves to sew with their Nana. She gives them a cross-stitch pattern of flowers and they turn it into a snake or firecracker because flowers just won’t do.
56. Rediscover paint: Paint frames, rocks, furniture, canvasses, décor you are tired of, pieces of wood, almost anything can be painted…
57. Craft Cards: Pre-make birthday cards so you don’t have to scramble during the year for birthday cards to make. Get creative with cut-outs, stickers, stamps – you can have a blast with this one.
58. Make jewelry. Do you have broken jewelry you can pull beads off? Or grab a kit and create your own loveliness to put around your neck or wrist.
59: Create leather crafts: Bookmarks, bracelets, wallets…buy a leather-making kit and have fun.
60. Draw: Put objects in the center of a table and draw them. Or draw something from your imagination
61. Play with clay or playdough: Create animals, cities, spaceships…whatever you feel like.
62. Write your own song or music: Perform it for your friends and family.
63. Puppet show: Make puppets, borrow puppets, or used your stuffed animals as puppets and create a puppet show. Perform it for the younger kids on your street.
64. Create your own musical instrument(s): Create a band. Sing your favorite songs and play your heart out.
65. Create a stage: Read poetry, act out a puppet show, act out a play, sing, play your instruments – whatever.
66. Create a dance routine or stomp routine. Watch below for inspiration:
67. Rediscover chalk: Draw with chalk on the driveway – make a city complete with roads, or an aircraft carrier in the ocean, or a military base…or whatever you like.)
68. Embrace the fire pit: Talk your parents into starting a fire in the fire pit. Have them help you roast marshmallows to put between chocolate/peanut butter cups/peppermint patties and graham crackers. Then run around the backyard, play games, climb a tree and work off all the sugar.
69. Conduct an interview: Interview a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family member on camera. Appreciate the history in your family.
70. Make a video: Using a tablet or phone, grab your friends and make a short movie. Or tape just a scene from a movie. Or use your toys and create a stop-motion video. You are the director, find a cast and be creative.
71. Try something new. What have you always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance yet? In the summer your have time. Run the idea by your parents, ask for help if you need it and go for it!
72. Make an outdoor waterpark: Grab a slip ‘n slide, kid pools, sprinklers, water balloons, buckets…etc… and make the best waterpark you can think of. (Now, can you think of games to play in your water park? Water balloon baseball, maybe?)
73. Create a spa for pedicures: Fill a bucket with soapy water and soak your feet. Then paint your toenails, add accent stickers (small jewels, flowers…etc. from the dollar store), and finish with a clear coat. Next, set your feet on large stones you’ve warmed in the sun for comfort while your toes dry. Invite your mom to join you. (You’ll make her day. Sons, surprise your moms and do this for her!!!)
74. Paint your fingernails: Be creative – have you ever tried to tie-dye your nails? Watch this how-to video.
75. Be a make-up artist: Ask your mom if you can use her make-up and have fun with colors, brushes, and lipstick.
76. Practice kindness: Read this kindness article on how you can work on being a kinder person. Feel empowered to brighten people’s day with your kind actions.
77. Plan a vacation or stay-cation: Think of a place you want to travel to and research it. Go find a book about it at the library. Find it on a map. And maybe – if you show enough interest – someday your parents will take you there!
Related Self-Care Article: Baby Fun in the Sun – What are the Safest Baby Sunscreens for your Baby and Toddler? |
78. Visit an animal shelter: Pet and play with those sweet, neglected animals.
79. Make a pet toy: Watch this video on how to make a dog toy. Search for other ideas or create your own.
80. Walk your pet: Or play catch, spend time petting them…just hang out and enjoy your pet.
81. Make dog treats: Check out these dog treat recipes and create something yummy for your pets. Or donate your treats to a local animal shelter. (Read more about best dog treats for training here.)
82. Visit the local nursing home: Bake sweets and pass them out. The sweet elderly people will dote over you and not only will you brighten their day, but you’ll walk away feeling loved.
83. Clean the house: (I’m serious!) It’s fun to take care of your space and rewarding to step back and see how your two hands improved life for yourself and those you live with.
84. Pull weeds: Ask your friend, neighbor, or family member if you could help them pull weeds. (For free!) Now look around the yard and notice what else needs to be done. Volunteer to help them with that too.
85. Volunteer: What is a local organization that could use your help? (Feed My Starving Children, food shelves…etc.) You’ll bless other and feel good about it.
86. Execute your own unique idea: Can you think of something else you could do for others that would improve their lives? Like write your teachers a thank you card, set up a lemonade stand and give the money to charity…you decide. Run it by your parents, work out the kinks, then go for it!
Kids, being bored is okay…because that’s when your brain looks for something to do. And you discover all sorts of magic in you.
And parents, when your kids forget the above and tell you they’re bored, point them back to this list of resources, then walk away. Come back later and see what they came up with. Hopefully, it’ll make you smile.
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s an amazing life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kids, feel empowered in your personal growth, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get inspiration, resources, and stories in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community below.
The other day, I saw of picture of when my kids were little (like when I wrote this post), and I thought I so deeply want to go back to this season of life. I miss it.
But just as quickly as that thought came, another thought followed Someday, I will see pictures of my current parenting phase (raising tweens and teens) and wish to come back to today.
So, I want to do my best to enjoy this season of life. These ideas on how to connect with and entertain tweens and teens can help…
INSPIRATION
How a Messy House is Good for Your Kids
IDEAS
85+ Kids Activities That Promote Creativity
READING
146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that will Also Build Character
Compelling Books That High Schoolers Will Want to Read
EXERCISE
Home Exercises for Your Teens & the Whole Family (Feel Healthy & Happy)
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
We all want happy kids, but are you happy as well? Download this family activity and discussion on happy kids and happy families.
Know your child. Create a family connection by learning how your family members feel loved and how you can all love each other better.