As a parent, you know that living with a teenager is not always easy, in fact, it can seem completely impossible. Your once sweet, loving child suddenly becomes a hormone-riddled, angst-filled bundle of attitude. You may find it hard to connect with your teen, and may feel like spending quality time with them is a thing of the past. Fear not; there is a way to connect with your teen, even if it's only for short periods of time. The solution is simple and inexpensive, the only real cost being your time. The way I have found to connect with my teen is to read to him.
So, OK, I'm sure that you're thinking that you didn't read that correctly. Read with my teen? Are you serious? Yes, I am serious, and it really works. No matter what has transpired during the day, no matter how many arguments we've had, no matter how misunderstood he feels, it's all reconciled at the end of the day when we read together. It's a special part of our day that is just for the two of us to share, and he waits for it every night. He may at times seem like he doesn't care whether we read or not, but he'll wait up for me until I'm ready to read with him. See, teens really still need a lot of love and attention, they just try to act like they don't. Taking time to read with them shows them that they are important and that you enjoy their company.
How to Begin Reading with Your Teen
Maybe you haven't read with your child since the days of The Cat in the Hat. The concept of reading together may at first seem strange to both you and your teen, but it really can be lots of fun. It's a chance to let your guard down, create different voices for the characters, and let your teen see that you are not just the parent, but someone "cool" to hang out with even if it's just for half an hour.
Finding something to read together can be challenging, but a well chosen, age appropriate book can be a wonderful experience for both you and your teen. Maybe share some of your favorites, or let them choose something they would like to hear. No matter what you decide to read, points for discussion are bound to come up, and you can use this as an opportunity to share points of view. After you finish a book, watch a movie version if there is one, and compare and contrast it with the book. This can also spark lots of fun discussions and analysis. What may seem awkward at first, will hopefully turn into a special ritual.
Teen Reading List Ideas
Since choosing a book to read can be a very personal thing, this book list is simply a guide to get you started.
- Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens is a wonderful, albeit long book to read out-loud. The plot twists, quirky characters, and hot tempered moments of the main character, will keep your teen engaged and entertained.
- Other books by Charles Dickens such as David Copperfield and Great Expectations are great read aloud books as well
- The Harry Potter Series is another fun series to read together. Even if your teen has already read them, the book series is a blast to read out loud. There are endless opportunities for acting out the different voices, character discussions, and movie comparisons.
- The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico is a short, yet powerful book. It is often a difficult book to find, but the lessons taught about love, courage, and finding beauty within make this book worth the search.
- The All Creatures Great and Small series by James Herriot is a book series that will surely touch your teen's heart, especially if they are animal lovers. Set in the Yorkshire Dales of the 1930', 40's, and 50's, this book follows the trials and tribulations of a country vet. James Herriot narrates the stories with humor and with respect for the animals he treats and the farmers he works with.
The above is just a very small listing of some of the books that I have enjoyed reading aloud with my son. Of course, there are so many more great books to read such as To Kill a Mockingbird, anything by Jane Austen, and if you like science fiction, the Dune series, or anything by Ray Bradbury. Really, the choices are endless. The main thing is to just pick something and get started. Don't be discouraged if your teen may seem reluctant at first; just keep trying and you'll both soon find that reading together is a wonderful way to connect, unwind, and spend some fun time together.
Andrea Ruiz - I am a graduate of Boston University with a degree in International Relations. I was born and raised in the Boston area, and even though I ...
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