by Silva Payne

Created on: January 25, 2011

Snow days usually mean that schools are closed and the students must find some other way to occupy their time. While younger children may be content to spend the day on craft activities or watching DVDs, teens may need some extra ideas for things to do.

Of course, many teens will be happy to sleep in late on a snow day and not get up much before lunch time. Teenagers do need more sleep than at any other age, so letting them have a few extra hours in bed may save you from having a grumpy teen later in the day.

Once they are up and awake, teens can be encouraged to help shovel snow. You may need to offer a financial incentive, or the promise of some other reward later on. If you have elderly neighbours, you could also encourage your teenager to offer to shovel snow from their paths too. This is a great way of getting your teen to be active as well as helping others.

If you have more than one child, holding a snowman competition is a good way to include your teen in a family activity. Many people assume that teenagers do not want to join in with family games, but with a little encouragement most will happily get involved. Helping their younger brothers or sisters rather than making their own snowman may help your teen maintain a certain level of cool if any of their friends happen to pass by.

Once it is too cold to stay outside, you can ask your teen to help you make lunch. Snow days are ideal opportunities to give your teenager some elementary cooking lessons. Start with the basics of boiling eggs or making an omelet or pancakes.

Try not to hover over them too much but let them work out for themselves how to follow the recipe. You could write down the instructions for them and then make yourself scarce elsewhere in the house for half an hour.

After lunch, you could suggest an hour or so of study time. This does not mean your teen needs to disappear into their room. Encourage them to bring their books into the living space of your home, and sit with them so that you can discuss any issues or questions they may have. Get involved in your teens school work, and use it as an opening to make sure there are no other problems at school.

Your teen will almost certainly want to spend some time talking to their friends during a snow day, either by phone or on the computer. This is natural, and should not be discouraged. However, give your teen a reason to limit the time they spend chatting, so that the whole day does not slip past.

Suggesting a DVD that you can watch together, maybe under a duvet with some popcorn or chocolate, is a good way to round off a snow day with your teen. Most teenagers have a favourite movie from when they were younger, and a snow day is an ideal time for you and them to take a trip down memory lane together.

It could be a cartoon classic such as “Beauty and the Beast”, or a gentle story such as in “Fly Away Home” or “The Incredible Journey”. Giving your teenager some time where they are not competing against anyone else, and not having to maintain any kind of image, is a worth while use of a snow day.

Snow days can be an opportunity for teens to relax or to be active, depending on their personality. Try not to be too demanding of their time and how they spend it on a snow day, and instead reacquaint yourself with the young person you share your home with.

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