Friend with stroppy teenage daughter coming for weekend - any suggestions as to how to entertain her?

[ScrubsandBackRubs]

The daughter not the friend! Last time she came she hung around the adults the whole weekend and when she wasn't arguing with her Dad she was stabbing away at her mobile phone. She seemed miserable the whole weekend and it put a strain on everyone. Any suggestions as to how to keep her entertained (my dc are much younger as are her siblings)? Oh and I am aware this is pretty standard teenage behaviour btw I'm not suggesting she's any worse than any other teenagers.

[K999]

Make sure she has access to FB and she'll be fine!

[cjbartlett]

God why did you invite them again
it's up to her parents really
I think at that age they are glued to the phone
but you could go out into town - she could wander off to topshop
get some magazines in like reveal, glamour etc, my teenage neice loves them

[ScrubsandBackRubs]

LOL! Cj - I love the friend and she could do with a break. Her dd was lovely until hormones hit and then her personality regressed. I'm sure she'll reappear one day.
Good idea on the magazines, I'll do that.
K999 - she has an ipod touch thingy so she is already constantly on facebook

[LynetteScavo]

She doesn't want to be entertained. She enjoys being miserable. Give her unlimited access to the computer, some trashy magazines and and loads if junk food junk food, and she will secretly think you are ace, but certainly won't show it.

[HugoFirst]

gah let her go on facebook
take her to the DVD store and let her rent something

[SweetEspresso]

I totally agree with the others, magazines and access to FB. She might have been and gone through this phase by now, but in my experience it lasts a few years sadly (for the adults involved). At this age it seems nothing much interests them bar being with their friends or chatting to the via electronic means, and they do seem happy looking miserable.

[munstersmum]

Get a DVD of Glee

[cory]

Also be aware that her misery may not be anything to do with her staying with you or there not being enough entertainment. Teenagers are not like small children who can be distracted with a new toy. They are more like adults in that they remember when they are angry or unhappy- but unlike adults they haven't got the power to wriggle out of a situation that doesn't suit them. Or the self control to cover up their anger or misery. So provide a quiet corner for her, magazines and food, but don't feel that you have to make her happy. For all you know, she may have a broken heart. Or just be really really hormonal.

[crystalglasses]

find out what DVDs she would like to see and rent those, or tell her she's welcome to bring her own if she wants. Then make sure she has a private room or some private space she can retreat to if she wants to, to watch the DVDs, go on FB etc. Provide plenty of snacks eg crisps and biscuits. Make sure she knows that you are doing your best to make her feel at home, and so she's welcome to be with the adults, the children or by herself.

teenagers are very hard work and there;s no telling whether she will be in a communicative mood or not because every mood is transitory.

[gotolder]

Agree with Maryz: my GD was like this but if she stayed with the adults she would (sometimes) at her own pace take part in conversations and from app 13 could be interesting in her own right. When she didn't want to take part she just went away, either in her own head or into a book or to a separate room to do "her own thing". It seemed that just knowing that she wasn't being ostracised by the adults she found her own level.

[BusyBodd]

I'd go with Maryz's suggestion - she might not show it but she'll really appreciate that you didn't assume she was a little kid. It's also tricky because she is presumably too young to be left at home, but perhaps coming to you will keep her away from something she would rather be doing with her mates, or there might have been tense conversations along the lines of "Why do I have to trail half across the country so you can see your manky old mates who I don't really know?" I'm sure you aren't manky at all and she doesn't really know you but that might be how she views it, so grown-up treatment and space to watch DVDs and some sort of grown up style treat such as adult seeming chocolate and bottles of J2O will make her feel special - and help the rest of you to have a relaxing weekend.

[Sam100]

Do you have room for friend's stroppy teen to bring another stroppy teen mate with her? Maybe a tent in the back garden could be their accommodation and they can hang out together?