Parenting during the teenage years as non resident parent or long term step parent

[Stepmoose]

Just looking for advice on whether/how the dynamics changed with dsc or non resident dc when they hit the teenage years and how you adapted? This is if you have been involved with dsc since they were younger rather than first knew them as teenagers.

I have one dsc who is now mid teens, and have been with dh since he was very young.

DSS has been a fairly easy going teenager so far, a few issues but nothing too major. However there has been a noticable increase in typical teenage behaviours lately. I can feel the relationship starting to change with dh and I and I am worried that things are going to become strained and distant simply because we don't see him day to day.

Currently he stays with us one or two nights a weekend, though contact was more often when he was younger. This is simply due to him not wanting to be back and forwards as much, which is understandable. He is also starting to do his own thing a little more.

So, how did you adapt things and what type of things did you do to ensure that you maintained a good relationship?

Anyone?

It isnt necessarily because you don't see him often, teenagers often become a bit harder to engage. Do you do things together when you see him? Or at least have a bit of time with him not on a device of any sort?

Thanks for replying - yes we do try as much as he is willing! My DH tries to do things one on one and we try to encourage him to join in family things - but like I say, he is difficult to engage.