How to Create a Teen Friendly Hangout

Lounging youths, hoards of food, and the smell of teen spirit around the house may not seem like the vision of your dreams – yet in many ways this scene does sound appealing if you’re the type of parent that wants to know where your teen is. Establishing your home as a teen friendly hangout is a simple as following three “P’s” – Preparation, Patience and Practice, and each of these components play a role in following these simple steps.

1. Plan a Hangout Space with Your Teen
Taking it upon yourself to plan a teen friendly hangout might not set well with your young adult. This type of action might quickly clue them in on your plans to keep and eye on them and they will likely shut you down quickly. However, if you approach them with an open mind and genuinely show an interest in getting to know their friends by welcoming them into your home, your teen’s response is sure to be more positive.
Discuss potential indoor hang out areas with your teen whether it be their bedroom, a den, the garage, the basement, or a combination of these. Choose an area that offers access to activities that your teen and his friends enjoy. For example, if video games dominate their time, a television and game system in the chill out zone is a must. You might be surprised what this preparation conversation my reveal when you get one-on-one with your young adult concerning what they really enjoy doing with their friends.

2. Stock up on Fun and Healthy Snacks
Naturally, teens run straight for sodas, chips, and other snack foods when they hang out. Much like ritualistic gatherings centuries ago, food is a large part of the communal experience, and teens tend to have a rather insatiable appetite. Your role in providing snacks requires planning to ensure that a variety of fun and healthy foods are available.
The odds are, your teen has a good idea of the types of snacks that their friends enjoy, so get their input, and then use your own nutritional common sense to add some healthier snacks into the mix. Remember, the best teen hangouts always have snacks prepared for those last minute get-togethers, and this is where that practice will pay off as you learn everyone’s tastes and preferences over time.

3. Be Welcoming and Respectful of Your Teen’s Friends
Love them or not, part of being the teenage hangout host is to be gracious to your teen’s friends. It is inevitable that your child will have that one friend that you just don’t care for, but what matters is that your son or daughter does like them. Making all of their friends feel welcome makes your child feel welcome, and believe it or not, they will appreciate your graciousness.

4. Offer Your Support
Keep in mind when hosting other teens that not all of them have the most attentive parents, and you might be the person that fills that role to some extent. Ask the teens about their day when they come in, inquire about any activities or events in their life, and show genuine interest. Also, remember how emotional and trying the teenage years can be, and be patient if the youngsters aren’t always in the best mood.

Your final role in creating the teen hangout spot is to try to relax and have a good time as host. After all, you will likely benefit personally by coming to have a greater understanding of your child – and a better idea of what they are doing with their free time.

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Author Byline: Even though Tracey is many years away from teen angst, she is already thinking about how to keep an eye on her daughter and her friends once the teenage years arrive.  Tracey works from home, sharing visitor info at www.thehighlandlakes.org for visitors to the Highland Lakes and Texas Hill Country. 

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