Showing posts with label connect

Before we know it, the mid-September heat wave will give way to cool mornings and evenings so pleasant we’ll want to open the windows to let some fresh air in. Fall is a magical time. A cool respite from the summer heat and a perfect time to do a little home maintenance and maybe a few upgrades you’ve had on your to-do list. If you’ve been thinking of adding smart technology and appliances to your home, but are unsure of where to start, don’t fret! You can get all the advice you need on new tech for your home with the Best Buy free in-home consultation. Read on for details. 



#ad, Ring Video 2 doorbell @BestBuy

Busy. Our teens are busy kids! Which usually means parents are busy with our teens activities too. For instance, both my daughters are in choir and both enjoy doing theater when their schedules allow it. Both girls are involved in clubs, fundraisers, attending school related events (football games, etc.),  so free time during the week to just sit and chat is hard to come by. Today, I’m sharing three easy ways I’ve found I can still feel connected with my teens during the busy times.



Books and CD's help you connect with your teens



1. Read their books:

Young Adult, or YA books, are written with your 15+ teen in mind, but don’t let that stop you from reading them! Some of THE best books I’ve read this year came directly from my teen daughter. When you see your teen engrossed in a book, take notice. Better yet, ask if you can read it when they are done,  and then talk with them about the plot and characters as you read.  

Not sure where to start? Popular picks are: The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, The Selection series by Kiera Cass- (start my daughter’s reviews here). The much anticipated Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and two by J.K. Rowling and our personal pick and hands-down favorite , The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.




teens and earbuds, this is what they do!



2. Listen to their music:

Most parents know this time all too well: You’re in the car with your teen, taking them to their after-school activity again.  They make small talk with you for five minutes, and then in go the ear buds and you’ve been tuned out. The same thing can happen when you take them out to eat. 

Keep the conversation and the fun going by inviting them to keep some of their Cd's in the car, then pop one in while you are driving them to their destination. Once you get to your destination, if you see those ear buds come out again, ask them who they are listening too. 

The point is to engage and connect in their world often!  Some of the best and funniest conversations I’ve had with my girls is talking about the lyrics to some of their favorite songs. Our top pick right now is “25” by Adele, followed closely by "Blurry face" by 21 Pilots. 




my teen helping me with work photos for a brand



3. Include them in your work:

I have the privilege of working from home. Both my businesses- blogging and Avon are businesses I work mainly from home, so my teens have gotten used to seeing me work on a daily basis. I’m inviting them in and keeping this part of my day open to connecting possibilities. They respect what I do and actually look for ways to help me.

Teens are plugged in to what’s in, what’s trendy and relevant to them which is invaluable to anyone in a marketing field. Which is why my oldest daughter didn’t mind helping me with a recent photo shoot at Toys “R” Us for a brand I was working with.

Asking your teen for their opinion on a related topic to your industry can be a great way to connect with them as well.  My teens know it's not all fun and lip gloss in my businesses because they see me doing the back office work too. We bounce ideas off each other often and they have opened up my eyes to a newer, fresher way of seeing the world. Why not show your teens what you so all day as well? Bring home an assignment to work on after dinner and ask them to check it out. 


There you have it! Three easy ways to stay connected with your teens. Try one or all three over the next week and you may see your teens in a whole new way, you may even score some cool parents points!


Please share in comments: How do you connect with your teen?  Do you use one or more of my strategies? 

Even though we officially kicked off fall this week, the temperatures here in the south remain summer like. My teen daughters and I have started taking afternoon walks again and we usually wind up on the front porch to cool off. That’s when we enjoy big flavorful glasses of home brewed iced tea. I love connecting with my teens as we sit and sip together. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we just rock and listen to the busy birds- either way it’s the time spent together that matters. 

My WAHM Plan: Connecting with my teen daughter

Recently I received a box full of Tulsi flavored teas from Organic India as part of the Moms Meet program. While I did receive these items free of charge, I only share products I believe in and feel will be of value to you, my readers.  

Some of you may remember the first time I wrote about this wonderful company and their story and mission remain relevant and important enough for me to share them again today. 

One of Organic India’s main missions is to create a sustainable global environment by working with thousands of family farmers in India on tens of thousands of acres of organic farmland. These are causes I very much believe in and want to champion. 

My WAHM Plan: Organic India flavored teas

Tulsi is considered India’s Queen of herbs for more than 5,000 years and has been revered as one of the most sacred herbs in India, infused with healing power because of its abundance in antioxidants. I can’t speak to this teas healing power, but I can speak to its flavor.

My WAHM Plan: Raspberry Peach Iced Tea

This week we are enjoying a special blend of home brewed iced tea using a mix of Tulsi Original tea and Tulsi Raspberry Peach tea. It is a delightful, flavorful blend my whole family loves. You can also purchase Tulsi in: Sweet Rose, Lemon Ginger, Honey Chamomile, Peppermint, Jasmine and many more by visiting their website.

Each box of Tulsi tea retails for $5.99 and is certified USDA organic.  You can save 20% on your Organic India products by using code kiwi20 for your online purchases. Also, be sure to visit Organic India on Facebook and Twitter where you can learn more about their humanitarian causes.

I invite you to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and get outside! Go for a walk; enjoy the view as the seasons slowly blend and change; or just sit and sip some iced tea together. It’s a perfect way to connect with your teens, your husband, your dog, even yourself.

From our home to yours- we wish you a Happy Fall!


Please share in comments: Which tea flavor listed above you would you like to try?

© My WAHM Plan · THEME BY WATDESIGNEXPRESS