Spend Valentine’s Day with your favorite person: your teen! If you’re looking for fun ways to reconnect during the holiday, you’ll love these ideas from Alicia of Whole Blossoms! Read on to learn more!

5 Ways to Re-Connect with Your Teen on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to try to reconnect with your teenage child.  It is quickly approaching, allowing you the perfect timing to get the moment right. We live in a day and age where things are moving quickly, parents are busy and teenagers are facing pressures that are rarely seen or felt by adults. Science Daily says, “You may have to step in and help the child reduce his or her relationship with a peer who you think is negative or damaging. That’s very difficult. It’s easier to promote positive relationships early and nourish those relationships through the teen years.” So promoting a positive relationship is more important than ever.

You may be wondering what you can do to help re-connect with your teenager and the following simple five ways may get you started in a list of ideas you can use to incorporate a better relationship and healthy living style.

Idea Number 1: Homemade Coupons

You can print a homemade coupon for something you know they will love. There are a number of things you can make coupons for, but just sit and contemplate about what your teenager may appreciate the most. Perhaps they love to play video games and you have set some boundaries of time limits. A coupon for an extra hour of video games may just be the right motivational tool for a better relationship. They will see that you care about their interests and will pave the way for a better understanding of how much you love them. If your teen is not really into video games you might consider a coupon for a breakfast in bed, no chores, or a Saturday pass to the mall with a certain dollar amount in a spending spree. Use your imagination; you know your teen better than anyone. Here’s a printable template that you can use!

Idea Number 2 : Celebrate with Favorite Foods

You can prepare for them their favorite dinner or take them to their favorite restaurant. Teenagers have an uncontrollable appetite, as a matter of fact Science Daily says, “Researchers using advanced MRI to study obese adolescents found disrupted connectivity in the complex regions of the brain involved in regulating appetite, according to a new study.” In other words, food is an excellent place to start when trying to find a way to their hearts.  You may want to prepare it yourself or plan an exciting evening out, making them feel more than special. Tell them anything, no matter the price, is ok.

Idea Number 3: A Simple Show of Love

You can also do something simple as waiting for them to get ready for school and placing a single red rose and a box of chocolates on their bed. This will send them a meaningful message a touch their heart in a very simple, but sure way. A report from the Flower Essence Society said, “Flower essence therapy is founded on the knowledge that emotions and attitudes are key factors in health and wellness”. The very essence of flowers, combined with delicious chocolate can do much to heal emotions and help your relationship.

Idea Number 4 – Treasure Hunt

You may also choose to do something completely far out and creative such as a treasure hunt. You can make it very exciting and even get family and their friends involved. You can make a list of several clues and have them be coordinated to be found at several places you know they enjoy and love. For example, you may want to start with a clue at home to meet at a favorite fast food restaurant and have one of their friends be waiting and build up the excitement by having another clue at the restaurant sending them to the local miniature golf course with another friend waiting. This will definitely build excitement and create bond with you they will never forget. You can come up with your own list of clues and destinations; it’s completely up to you.

Idea Number 5 – “52 Reasons I Love You” Cards

Teenagers often deal with depression. Mental Health America says, “Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention — adolescent depression. Parents or caregivers must take action.” They are constantly dealing with changes and need constant daily affirmation. One last idea is take a brand new deck of cards and on each card write something positive you love about them. They will never get tired of hearing how important they are and to have 52 attribute will be a tremendous lift, not only to them, but to your relationship with them.

These are just some ideas to get the creative ball rolling as as you re-connect with your teen this Valentine’s Day. The more important thing you can do is not ignore them and give them the positive attention they need and deserve.