Need Ideas for "Bonding"

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Need Ideas for "Bonding"
9
Tue, 01-02-2007 - 8:09pm
DD and Dh normally go camping with friends every January. This year, the week-end that is reserved is the week-end before finals. DD feels she needs to stay home and study on that week-end. DH wants to do something less time-consuming with DD but can't think of anything that will be mutually enjoyable. What do you do with your teen? We need something that would be do-able in less than 4-5 hours. Mimi
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Tue, 01-02-2007 - 9:58pm
What is it that they do camping? Fishing? Hiking? Sitting around the campfire? Maybe take one or two of those activities and find a way to do them from home and schedule them as a study break for her. Still have some of the tradition of the camping trip, but still give her the time for studying too. OR could she take her homework with her, and block out some time throughout the weekend to hit the books?
Rose
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 6:33am

My DD and DH have a mutual interest in music, especially Jazz. One way they get quality time together is to go to a Jazz Club (that was DD's Hannukah present to DH this year).

Maybe instead of camping, your DH and DD could just do a half-day hike.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 8:53am

My son loves the theater. We also visit museums a lot.

What about a father/dd date? He dresses in a suit, she dressed up, they go to a nice dinner someplace and then to a show?

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 9:49am

Does she like sporting events? My DD really likes women's basketball so she and DH will drive to the university about 50 miles from here. (Making sure to eat some really unhealthy meal that we usually don't have at home!). A long time ago, they also went to gymnastics meets.

I think it's great they have this tradition. My DD and DH still do this even though she no longer lives at home.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 10:52am

My DH and DD ride horses together -- we have three. Younger DS is becoming quite a decent tennis player and DH is a very good tennis player, so when he plays with DS, DS is thrilled.

I like to load up bikes or roller blades and head to the coast (we live in SD county) and spend a few hours there with them. It's really lovely this time of year at the beach and we can lock up the bikes, sit on the beach and enjoy an ice-cream treat or something.

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 12:54pm
What about going to one of those places that sells funky beads and such and you can make them there or at home. While they are at it they can grab a bite to eat together. Nothing like bonding over pizza and a coke. After that you could go to a video store and LET HER pick out a movie to watch together. Of course you have to make a trip to the grocery store for junk food and such to go with the movie. My daughters love this. I sometimes don't care for the movie they choose but most times it is pretty good and tells me a lot about what my kids like.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 1:02pm
Hi-
Yes, when they go camping, they usually spend a lot of time cooking, sitting around the campfire, making hot chocolate, doing skits, and taking walks. Thanks for the suggestion to take the books along. That's what she did last year. I'll suggest it and see what she thinks.
Mimi
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 1:04pm
A jazz club is a great idea. They both love music, so that would be a great fit!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 1:06pm
Good ideas! Thanks! There are a lot of museums in our area that beg to be visited!