Can Teens Cook?

Does your teen cook? I don't mean toast, now. I am talking about being able to cook something beyond putting it into the microwave and waiting for the beep sound. Yes, most teens do that frequently, I know that my daughter does, but have you spent any time with your teen showing them how to make something to eat in the kitchen besides a microwave dinner? Where do you start, you might be asking....well, start with the simple. Knowing how to make eggs for breakfast, oatmeal and something for mornings is a good start. Take time to let them actually do some of the cooking with your help. I have taught my daughter how to get online to find a recipe and search through the cupboards to see if we have the right ingredients and bake a cake, all from scratch....and yes, they turn out delicious. I have tried to show her little tricks about using the spray pam to keep food from sticking, and also something as important as how to read the directions on the back of the box. My daughter enjoys cooking, even it it's just a hamburger helper night, she has also learned how to cook the meat and drain it, and follow the directions. It takes time but it's well worth it so they learn how to cook, especially in times when you can't.

Getting To Know Your Teen

How well do you and your teen daughter communicate? Does she share her views with you? My daughter and I are pretty close. No, she probably doesn't share all her thoughts with me, but she does share quite a lot. She might come home from school and be so tired from the day that she doesn't say much, but normally around dinner time, she always has something to say. I think that it's good to be close enough with your teen to know what's going on in their lives, while still giving them privacy as well. My daughter is comfortable with me and I know her views on most everything and that keeps me assured that when something comes her way, unexpectedly, I am confident that she will know what to do. But as parents, we don't always know. Today's society is filled with so many dangers and ways for our children to get into trouble. I honestly feel that WHO they hang around with it the key to alot of it. Do you know your teen's friends? If not, now is a good time to try and get to know who their closest friends are, especially if they spend much time with them or go anywhere with them. Still, privacy for teens is very important, so keep that in mind, but if you don't have good communication with your teen, try and open that door by finding a subject to talk about that opens conversation. Talking is good. Try and keep the doors open. You have to let them know that you are interested in what they have to say, while still being a parent. It's hard, I know, but it CAN be accomplished.

Money, Money, Money

I tell you, I wish that times weren't so hard these days. Things seem to cost so much more. We had an experience over the past couple of days that I would like to share with you all. My stepson, a wonderful guy, saw that we were having a little bit of a struggle with school clothes shopping, band uniform and shoes ordering, not to mention all the pens, pencils, papers and such that we were having to buy, that he came out to the kitchen one night, with a large shoe box. Inside the shoebox, was a bunch of change, and some wrappers. He told my daughter, that if we wrapped it, we could use it for clothing and whatever she needed. She and I were both astonished at this very heavy box and were so grateful for whatever would be in it. The next day, I separated the coins, and started the wrapper rolls. My daughter finished the roll, wrapped it up and then began the counting. To our amazement, there was 221.00 there. We were so thrilled. Next it was time for my daughter to learn how to spend this money wisely. Guess what happened next? We took about $60 of it, and went shopping at JCPenney, who had a wonderful sale going on during tax-free weekend. My daughter picked out 10 shirts for school....what a deal !!! She was thrilled, and so was I. Saturday came, and she needed some very important items for her new horse. Again, I grabbed $60, and away we went and found a great sale at Petsmart in the Stateline Tack area and she bought $45. worth of things. This left us enough money to buy a backpack and a new notebook holder. Now, with what's left, she will buy 2 new pair of jeans on sale and put the rest toward that marching band flute that we are set out to buy this afternoon. Teens need to learn the value of the dollar and how to spend their money wisely. Great bargains CAN be had, if you shop around and check the sales racks and the newpapers for what's on sale. Teach you teen how to spend their money wisely. After all, if they learn this while they are young, it will carry them through when they are older and REALLY need to learn how to spend.

Shopping for School Clothes

With school starting up again at the end of next month, I am starting to think about school clothing. Does your daughter require designer jeans? Some do. My older children were into the more expensive jeans for high school, but my youngest one just doesn't care about it. She would rather find a brand that fits, especially due to her figure being so tall and thin. Where do you go to shop for bargains? In my experience, I have found that Khols Dept store to always have something on the sales rack. They often have really great sales as well. My second choice is Ross. They have alot of things that are really marked down and really good prices. My last choice here is JCPenney. They are a little more pricier, but they often have great sales going on, especially in the jeans dept. We are going to start our school shopping soon, so wish us good luck... .happy shopping !!!!! Now this is a really great time to spend some mother-daughter or father/daughter time.

Spending Time with my Teen

My daughter is having a great summer. She hasn't told me once that famous saying that I've heard so many other times "I'm Bored". Thank goodness for that. She has even started helping more around the house without my asking for it. Wow, miracle. She has started showing even more interest in taking care of her clothing and we went and bought some woolite for her delicate things. She has started showing more interest in cooking, and has even made homemade banana cake that we found the recipe for online. I believe that spending quality time with my teen has really been good for both of us. Sometimes after I pick her up from the horse stables, we will go and have some "us" time and grab a bite to eat together, and I let her choose where she wants to go. I am really enjoying the summer this year. My teen is really been good company, despite the moodiness of that monthly time in life.