Teenagers: Forced Family Fun

Everyone knows that teenagers love hanging out with their families, right?  Haha!  Okay, so secretly they might love it, but they would never let in on.  I encourage every parent with a teenager to institute something that my family calls "Forced Family Fun".  It is basically an event that is mandatory and we do as a family.  It is usually, of course, something that all members of the family will enjoy.  Our teenager will start off the event with grunts and groans, but by the end, he is laughing and smiling.  Yesterday we went to a choir party at High Rock Lake.  We took everyone but our younger son (he had another party to go to).  Of course our oldest was thrilled (*sarcasm*).  He had some good food,  but was still being huffy.  My husband and I both nudged him into playing a game with us outside.  Then he started to come alive.  My point is, with many teenagers, they would never tell you they will enjoy anything, so make them participate in things you know they will enjoy.  It is important for them to spend time with you, but if you don't require it, they may just keep to themselves.