Evenings with teenagers

9 replies

Nix32 · 14/05/2025 22:21

I’m navigating my youngest (14 DD) suddenly not wanting to spend time with us in the evenings anymore. It was tough when my 17 year old did it but it feels even harder this time. We spend lots of time together doing other things, but it’s weird not having her with us watching tv.

is it just mine or do all teens do this?

OP posts:

Hollyhedge · 14/05/2025 22:25

They all do it I think. Can you find a tv series or film you all like? We have watched loads of Prison Break and it has meant regular time together

TheHonestGreenUser · 14/05/2025 22:45

Mines the same and I think it's worse as she is the last one so there's no other kids down here, so why would she want to be here. I find it hard to get her to spend any time with us now.

herbalteabag · 14/05/2025 22:49

Mine definitely did this. We occasionally watch TV together - currently 1 hour a week as there is something on we both like. I like it's normal. I did this as a teenager because I had a TV in my room and I didn't really want to sit with my family. My son doesn't really watch TV and generally spends all evening on his computer.

Original poster

Nix32 · 14/05/2025 22:50

@HollyhedgeWe’ve spent the last few years doing that and she’s just not really bothered anymore. She and I have a series we watch together sometimes - hoping we can find another when we get to the end!

OP posts:

Cynic17 · 14/05/2025 23:02

Don't you remember being a teen, OP? You spent the whole evening in your room. Back in the olden days, we had so little to do (no internet, TV not allowed) that we even resorted to doing our homework! Then, about 9.30 or 10pm, parents shouted up to us to go to bed.
Your kids are completely normal - they need to develop their own lives, and this is how it starts. A 14 year old who always wants to be with parents would worry me much more.

Donotpanicoknowpanic · 14/05/2025 23:17

My 14 spends some time with me still

We play games together (about once or twice a week)

A board game of no more than 30 minutes

Poker is popular, easy and with the chips makes it interactive

Playing switch games together on the TV

And normally at least one film a week

Were all boys in this house though so have similar interests

littlemisspickles · 14/05/2025 23:18

Mine does this, but we do have a series on the go we all watch together when we can, and this week even played Scrabble (her choice). I think it is meant to gently prepare us for when they leave home.....

YourAquaTurtle · 22/05/2025 16:45

Totally normal, though I know it doesn't feel like it when it happens. Mine did exactly the same around that age, suddenly wanted more time alone or just on their phone in their room. It stings A LOT, especially when you’re used to that evening routine.

My husband was a bit more direct at the beginning, but it didn't really work, instead, I went through these articles https://weareluna.app/parents/guides they really helped with how to speak to her and communicate in a normal/helpful way, and she could download the wellbeing app (luna) too and that helped her to grow her confidence and open up a bit more AND go on her phone less.

notnowmrshudson · 27/05/2025 12:16

dd 14 and I are pretty close but similarly she is spending less time with me, which at the end of the day is fine. As long as they are safe and happy, there's nothing wrong with gaining a more independence at this age as teenhood is about that and we have to support them through it. I suggest schedule things together but don't expect it to be a daily thing, maybe a once a week watch or something like that. We also have the no phones at dinner rule and try to talk more as a family x

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