To not know what to do with teenage kids at the weekend

[Cumbrian07]

Ok so teenage girls (well 12 and 13) are watching tv in the lounge and on their laptops. They don't want to go out or do anything. They're perfectly happy but I feel that it's wrong and that there's so many more interesting fun worthwhile things we could be doing. Now, do I drag them out or let them be?

leave them be

Well do they always stay home? I know some kids do...I did at that age whereas my niece who is 13 is always out and about...wandering round the shops with he mates...or going to the cinema etc.

When I got to be about 14 I joind a local Youth Theatre and then I was never in!

Do your DD's belong to any clubs or groups?

Depends whether they are the types to want to do things with their parents?

I wasn't, but my niece and nephew love an evening out bowling, at the cinema, or out for a Chinese Buffet.

Leave a note and sneak out :)

Bunty penfold like your style

I know how you feel.

We try and hit a compromise now between letting them lounge around, them doing things with their friends and us all doing something.

Things to all do together include:

• going for a pizza when vouchers are available!
• going for a hot chocolate and a stomp around the park (they hate this but every now and then we make them, using the hot choc as a bribe!);
• cinema v v occasionally;
• Friday night curry
• a DVD and popcorn (although it's getting much harder to find a film that we're all happy with).

Occasionally now, dp and I will leave the girls schlepping indoors and take ourselves off for lunch, which feels strangely luxurious, even if it's only to the local cafe!

Make the most of them wanting to be at home. They'll soon be going out and about and you'll be worried sick! At least you know where they are.

They are old enough to be left on their own and are happy. Go and do something you want to do. Gallery, hair do, walk in the park, shopping. The world's your oyster and all the mum's tied down with tots are no doubt dead jealous.

Smiling at your good fortune not the misfortune of others.

It's cold! I don't blame them. All I want to do this evening is chill out too.

I think a bit of both.

I remember things I didn't want to do as a teenager and being made to - they were some of the best times!

I am sure there are somethings you could all do together as well... how about a board game/game of cards after dinner?

I think it is important to find things to do together, as a family, as the kids get older or you lose all connection with them.