if you work and have teenagers what do you do with them/what do they do with themselves out of school hours?

[hatwoman]

dds are currently 10 and 8. dh and I do a mixture of working from home, working part-time, working for ourselves and we manage without childcare. I'm starting to think ahead though and by the time they're in secondary school I'd quite like to return to a more conventional, full-time job - quite possibly out of the house 8am-7pm kind of thing. I was just wondering what others do with their teenagers. I don't particularly think term-time will be a problem but the summer holidays might feel like a bit of a lonely stretch for them. my mum was a teacher - so although I spent my holidays mooching around with friends and also working in a local cafe she was always there.

[scurryfunge]

My DS used to spend a week or two with each set of grandparents in the summer holidays, a week's holiday with us and a week or so with organised clubs/activities and hanging around with friends.

The only rule I had when he was unsupervised was not hanging around the town centre -he had to be at a friend's house or sports club, etc.

[DurhamDurham]

My girls are 17 and 13, they come home to an empty house about 2 or 3 times a week. They bring friends back (only ones we have met and like!), they cook (cakes, biscuits....not the dinner unfortunately) or they get homework done. The 13 year old always seems busy when I get in, she's either prancing around the kitchen practising her dancing or making something. My 17 year old does what she has to do and then chills on the sofa catching up with all the stuff she records with Sky+. I haven't come home to too many disasters......so far.
During the school holidays I usually take annual leave and we do things together. When I have to work in the school holidays it can cost a fortune to keep them entertained but I prefer them to be busy and having fun. I'd hate them to be lying around all day.

They could do more to help but they will empty the dishwasher or put the washing in the drier if I ring and remnd them to. They keep their bedrooms tidy and I don't usually come home to a mess so I can't really complain.

[venusandmarzipan]

I did it the other way round - WOH when dcs were little, then working from home once they were teenagers. I found that their needs in their teen years were more subtle and complicated - they didn't want a routine / childcare, but clearly appreciated that I was around when they got back from school if they just wanted to chat over something.

[carolscotland]

DD is 14, I am luck hubby works sort of shifts. I was PT while dd was at primary school, going FT when she went to secondary. Term time isn't a problem it is just hols. When hubby is on a late I start early and finish midday. I am luck I do flexitime. On his day off I do a LONG day, and if he is a normal day I have to take a day holiday, or she will go to grandparents, aunt, friends for day. Although last year we have started to leave her by herself for a couple of hours some days, but certainly not all day or everyday.
It certainly gets easier when thay are older, but you then start worrying about them more because they are by themselves or out with friends!