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Raising tweens is no easy feat. These little ones are right on the cusp between childhood and becoming their own person. Since they’re so close to finding their independence, parents try their hardest to cling to their kids. One way to ensure your child spends more time with you is to make your house a desirable place to chill. Here are four creative ways to make your home the ultimate hangout space for tweens.
Create a Home Theatre
Unfortunately, this year looks drastically different from the ones in the past. One way to keep your preteens busy while social distancing is to build a home theatre. You and the kids will have a blast watching family-friendly flicks in the space. Perhaps your children can have a few friends over as well, as long as everyone wears a mask and follows CDC guidelines.
Let Them Have a Say in the Design
Consider letting your kiddos have a say in your home’s design so they’ll know that you value their opinions. Often, teenagers get frustrated with parents who treat them like children and make them believe their input doesn’t matter. By letting your preteen make some of the design choices—say, for their bedrooms—you can show them that you trust their decision-making abilities.
Don’t Forget Snacks
Another way to make your home the ultimate hangout space for tweens is to load up on snacks. Growing children have super-fast metabolisms, so they’re always hungry. Be prepared for hungry kids when they’re finished e-learning for the day. Remember, moms: not all snacks have to be junk food. Perhaps look at some mom groups online for nutritious snacking alternatives that your tweens will find delicious.
It’s All in the Details
Consider adding some teenage-inspired details to your home so that your kids love hanging out there. For starters, there are plenty of game systems on the market that’ll keep your preteens busy, and they’ll adore you for buying them. If you want to ensure your children receive some outdoor playtime, think about installing a soccer net in the backyard so they can break a sweat. Kids should get about 60 minutes of exercise a day; this goal is more attainable when they have access to fun activities.
Sincerely,