Gift Card or Mom

So, I read just the other day that hundreds of teens were surveyed and 95% of them would rather spend the day with their parents than to have a $200 gift card. I really did not think that was the way the answers were going to fall. It sure didn't go that way in our house. All three of my teens chose the gift card. My feelings were almost hurt until one of them said, "We get to spend all day, every day with you, so we might as well take the gift card and just spend tomorrow with you again." Did you get that? They GET to spend time with me. That put a smile on my face for sure.

Maybe those teens that were surveyed don't have that opportunity. I don't really know, but it sure does seem to send a message to those of us who are parents of teens. In spite of what we see in the media, our teens really do want to spend time with us. We are still an important part of their lives. They haven't stopped needing our input and guidance. The issues aren't the same as they were when they were eight, they are much bigger, life altering, and sometimes scary. They need our wisdom and support now more than ever.

This just might be a good day to make a date with the teen in your life. Go to the beach, window shop at the mall, have dessert at a local restaurant. It doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to be time. With you. To listen. Don't let this slip away from you.