Parenting Teens - Three Reasons To Spend Quality Time With Your Teen   by Tim Stone

The alarm sounds, and you hit the floor running. You've got a million things to do and with only 24 hours in the day, you'll hardly be able to catch your breath today. Sound familiar? For so many of us, it's our way of life, day in and day out. In the process of doing all that needs to be done, often times the thing that suffers is our relationship with those closest to us. Perhaps it's your mate or perhaps its your children. I want to focus on the latter. Specifically, your teenage children, although, this really applies to all your children. I've put together an exhortation for you to pursue "quality time" with your teen. Three important reasons why you should put it in your schedule to spend regular quality time with each of them.

Reason #1: You, as the parent, have the potential to be the greatest influencer in the life of your teenager. We've all heard it growing up and as a parent we've probably preached it as well, "You become like those you hang around." The fact is this, your teen will be influenced by those he or she keeps company with. Are you one of those?

Reason #2: Have you ever looked at your teenager and asked yourself, "Who is this kid living in my house?" It is so easy with our busy lives to become distant from one another. It is both normal and healthy for your teen to be developing some level of independence as they grow older. However, independence doesn't have to mean separation. My job as a parent is to prepare my children for the day when I will become unnecessary in their lives. That being said, if I do my job right, when that day comes, my relationship with them will no longer exist because they need me, but because they want me. Big difference! The only way that happens, is if there is a relationship developed through spending quality time together.

Reason #3: The things your children will remember the most about growing up in your home is the amount of quality time you spent with them. The toys will break, the technology will get old, and the newness of everything you buy them will wear off. But, the time you invest will produce memories that never die, lessons no book can teach, and a bond that will never break.

copyright 2007 equippingparents.com

About the Author

Tim Stone is a veteran of youth ministry with over 15 years of experience in that field. He currently serves as youth pastor at Freedom Fellowship Church in Magnolia, TX. He is also the founder of EquippingParents.com, a website designed to inform and equip today's parents. For more tools and resources go to http://www.equippingparents.com