I have done it with my daughter and have been sharing our rhyming clues for many years now.
You can find more than 50 other clues from the prior six years of printable holiday scavenger hunts here.
Combine them for a longer expedition, or assign different clues to different kids or older family members. (Each hunt uses different locations around the home and all end under the Christmas tree.) There are lots of possibilities and you can be as creative as you like!
Here are this year’s Christmas scavenger hunt clues! You can download and print the clues or use the clues below to create your own. Answers to the rhymes can be found at the end of the post. Happy holidays and happy hunting!
Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues
Your first clue is not obvious it is hidden beneath
That classic round decoration also known as a ______.
Around the Christmas tree all the fun people will be rocking
But you should go check where you hang your ________.
The elves work hard – all those presents are a lot to handle!
Light way to your goal when you look under a ______.
Scrooge is known for being cantankerous and saying “Bah humbug!”
Be merrier when searching under a cup for hot drinks, better known as a ___.
To Santa and Rudolph we give our greatest regards,
Find your next clue amid the regards folks sent your way by mail in the holiday _____.
The children were nestled in their beds, nice and snug
Your next stop is on the floor under the covering also known as a ___.
Dasher, Dancer, and the rest of the reindeer are seasoned pros, not rookies.
Now go look by where we keep the treats we’ll leave for Santa, not milk but the _______.
Speaking of reindeer, NORAD tracks them as they travel through the airspace,
Seek your next clue in that item you take when you travel – your ________.
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is a tale told in verse
Your next clue can be found under your mom’s _____.
The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh – points for creativity
You may see them and your next clue in the representation of Jesus’ birth, the ________.
You’ve looked high, you’ve looked low, on that we can agree,
Let’s wrap up this search – you’ll find what you seek under the Christmas ____.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
Wreath
Stocking
Candle
Mug
Cards
Rug
Cookies
Suitcase
Purse
Nativity
Tree
Prior Post: 8 Great new YA books to give to teens this holiday season
You May Also Like: Top gift ideas for teens & tweens,
The 12 Days of Christmas with teens
and
Fun family board games to play with teens and tweens
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- Humor
Teens can be hilarious. And their laughter is the best. We recently hosted 14 high school seniors for dinner in our basement before a school dance and hearing them crack each other up was delightful. - Energy
Between school, jobs, extracurriculars, volunteering, friends, and more, there are a lot of demands on their time and they so often rise to the challenge. They particularly have a lot of energy on the weekend for social activities. Do not, however, expect to see that energy right after you’ve asked them to do chores. - Unique Perspective
The saying “through the eyes of babes” could be retooled to be “through the eyes of teens” and it would still be very true. Our kids perceptions of the world can be insightful, thought provoking or just comical (see #1). - Excitement and Hope for the Future
Whether it’s college, trade school, the military or their first job, many teens are chomping at the bit to be in the world. They are fired up to see what the future holds for them and that enthusiasm can be contagious. - Peeks into the Past
As much as teens think they are ready to be adults, as parents we catch glimpses of the tiny creatures they used to be, ones who were completely dependent on us. Whether it’s a particular mannerism, how they sleep or an expression that crosses their face and then disappears, those reminders can simultaneously both fill and break our parental hearts. - Ability to Learn
Kids are sponges. That’s true when they’re little and still true as they get older. Whether it’s learning how to drive or a new piece of music or studying for a test, they are constantly taking on new information. - Desire to See the World
Teens can be great travelers. They are excited to visit new places and traveling together can be awesome. (Need ideas? Check out these trips to take with teens.) - Ability to Run to the Store
You’ve seen that meme that says the second part of your life begins when your kid has a drivers license and can pick up something you forgot at the grocery? It’s true. - Digital Natives
Dealing with technology is a layer of parenting that our parents didn’t have to address like we do, but it also means that we have other ways of connecting with our kids and connecting them with the world, and that can be pretty cool. - Always Changing
Don’t like your teen’s mood? Chances are it will change. Teens are ever evolving and that means their mood, their interests, their brain, their bodies – it’s all in a state of flux. While this is undoubtedly exhausting, it’s also a bit reassuring to know on the bad days that it won’t be like this forever. - Independence = Time for You
When they are able to do more themselves, you are able to do more for yourself. Given that teens require a great deal of parental energy, take advantage. - Teens Keep You Current
From the latest slang terms to performers at the Grammys, teens can help keep you up on the latest trends. - They Will Always Be Our Babies
Doesn’t matter how tall they grow or where they go, they will always be our babies. As Toni Morrison wrote in Beloved, ““Grown don’t mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What’s that suppose to mean? In my heart it don’t mean a thing.” - They Love Us, Too.
Teens may not always express their love and appreciation (though it is magical when they do), know that you will always have a special place in their hearts.
Hug your kids and have a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Prior Post: In defense of the parent portal
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]]>Playing games, including a fun new one
Family game night is an old stand by and it’s gotten a lot of attention in the past month. But are you sick of your games? The good folks at Cards Against Humanity released a printable Family Edition that’s got a lot of bathroom humor, a few references to body parts that may make you squirm a bit and a ton of laughs.
Bonus – the instructions include washing your hands for 20 seconds.
Inspired by the ESPN HORSE Tournament, we’ve started playing HORSE in our driveway with our long-neglected basketball hoop. We may not be great, but it’s a good excuse to get outside and move a bit. Even if the weather isn’t great, it’s a pretty quick game so even if just one round mixes things up and effectively fights the monotony. Also, it’s been fun coming with other five-letter words to play. Mix things up, friends. My teen daughter isn’t the sportiest but I was surprised that she listed this one of her favorite fun new things to do. You never know what’s going to fly with teens, do you?
Baking new treats, including the DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
If you’ve checked in at a DoubleTree hotel, you know they offer a scrumptious chocolate chip cookie at the front desk. They’ve made their recipe public – you can find it here.
While it’s a good cookie and a welcome delight after a day of traveling, I prefer mine without nuts (please don’t come after me), so the ability to make them to my taste is a big win. The recipe is newly released, so while chocolate chip cookies are the OG treat, you know this is a new to your family version.
Making new friends like Wellington the Penguin
Admittedly, it’s not easy to make new friends when social distancing is the name of the game but the good folks at the Shedd Aquarium have made it easy to meet and fall in love with Wellington, a rockhopper penguin, as he takes field trips around the premises and makes new friends himself.
It’s fun to check in and see what he’s up to on a daily basis via the the aquarium’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. They’ve even encouraged interactive projects like writing a haiku for him on Haiku Day. Making a new friend at the aquarium may not be the first thing that would come to your teen’s mind as a rock(hopper)ing good time with new peeps, but he’s warmed the hearts of my entire family and been a bright spot the past couple weeks.
(Also, for fun, check out this video on the surprisingly hilarious topic of Benedict Cumberbatch’s pronunciation of the world “penguin.”)
Discover new music
Music can is good for the soul, and a great way to connect with your kids. Make a Spotify family playlist and have everyone contribute favorite tunes. Turn it on during dinner prep and the odds of a dance party breaking out go up dramatically.
Check out one of the scores of online concerts, tune into DJ D-Nice’s Instagram Live events for a fun jam session (or check out his account for playlists, including an 80’s-inspired homeschool playlist that I’m loving and seems to offend my teen a little less with D-Nice’s seal of approval).
Broadway babies – check out the live-streamed Salute to Stephen Sondheim in honor the composer’s birthday featuring a crazy array of stars.
Some Good News
Some Good News – a 15-20 minute bit of awesomeness by John Krasinski – has so far been released on Sunday nights and it’s become must-see YouTube for my family. It never fails to be a wonderful end to the weekend.
It has also inspired other odd challenges around my house, such as timing how long it takes to unload the dishwasher and set new records. Given my family’s competitive nature, we will likely not have as many coffee mugs as we did when quarantine first started.
Prior Post: Best reads with helpful advice on raising teens in quarantine from this past week
You May Also Like: Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for saying exactly what students need to hear right now
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]]>This morning while my teen summoned the dog into the next room to keep her company as she started her online classwork, I read about the silver linings of this time and the resilience they are learning. I got choked up. Then I clicked over to a news site and saw a piece about how teens may be struggling the most and be permanently impacted in not great ways. Again, I got choked up.
I am clearly really emotional this morning, but I think I’m responding to the fact that our teens seem particularly susceptible right now, to both the good and the bad. They are old enough to understand and to not be comforted by what their parents can offer, but not so old that their brains are fully formed or their hormonal levels have stopped fluctuating wildly.
Raising teens on the best of days involves feeling all the feels. That is only heightened when they cannot leave the house, are completely out of their routine, missing their peers and their own identities, and uncertain about their future. Here are some of the pieces I’ve read lately that have offered insight and perspective, as well as actionable advice that seems manageable and not overwhelming.
Why teens may never be the same after the pandemic
by Scottie Andrew on CNN
So, this headline is scary, and I’m sorry about that. But I think this article offers some good insight into why traumatic events impact teens in a unique way while also acknowledging that it is “difficult to generalize what life will be like for an entire cohort” and that they are getting through it. It offers some good advice from experts. My favorite:
“Even if everybody at home gets along, it’s really important for their emotional development to have their own downtime,” said Dr. Katherine Williamson, a California pediatrician and media representative for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her other recommendations include staying on a schedule to maintain a sense of normalcy, eating healthy and exercising regularly.
Making the ‘New Normal’ Work – How to help kids, teens, and your family through social isolation. by Karen Young on Hey Sigmund
Lots of concrete advice and actionable suggestions in this piece on things parents can do day to day to help their kids during this challenging and lonely time. I appreciate that she covered the importance of mindfulness and nature. Other advice that resonated included this nugget:
There will be so much that will be feeling out of their control during social isolation – assessment uncertainty, the loss of sporting or extra-curricular events, the loss of time with friends. Let them have choices wherever you can, even with the things you might have held onto control of a little tighter before now. If something feels important to them, and if the outcome isn’t terrible, think about handing it over to them.
Quaranteenagers: Strategies for Parenting in Close Quarters by Lisa Damour in The New York Times
Crazy to think this article is a month old, but the advice still applies. That’s particularly true as more and more activities that were important to them are cancelled. My senior had been holding out hope for an event scheduled for May 31st. It was recently cancelled and they said it would not be rescheduled. The finality of it unleashed my girl’s floodgates, and my heart broke for her. Damour’s advice was helpful:
Adults should not hesitate to say, ‘I hate that you have lost so much so fast and I am sorry it has happened. You’ll get through this, but that doesn’t make it any less miserable right now.’
When it comes to navigating painful feelings, the only way out is through, and offering our teenagers the compassion they deserve paves their way toward feeling better.
How to Help Teens Shelter in Place by Christine Carter in Greater Good Magazine
The idea of allowing our kids to step up to this moment and rise to the challenge the world has given them is one that I found heartening. I also was heartened by this suggestion about rising to the challenges at home, too:
Expect them to contribute to our household in meaningful ways. They can help with meal prep and household cleaning. Our kids assist with the cleaning by vacuuming and wiping down the counters. Keeping conflict low amid tight quarters is a meaningful contribution. Planning fun activities for the family to do together might be the most essential contribution of all!
I’m A Child Psychologist And A Mom Of Teens — Here Are 4 Tips For Helping Teens Cope With Confinement by Holly Antal, PhD, on Scary Mommy
One of her tips is about setting up a routine, not a schedule, and that’s a key distinction. Also, she offers advice for knowing when it’s time to seek professional help for a kid who is struggling:
It’s also important to remember that sometimes outside help is needed. While some stress, anxiety, and moodiness should be expected, if your child is having difficulty sleeping, trouble doing their schoolwork, becoming disinterested in their normal activities, or you’re not able to engage them in a conversation, it might be a good time to consider seeking help from a therapist. Virtually, of course!
You May Also Like: Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for saying exactly what students need to hear right now
Prior Post: 15 Uplifting quotes for getting through quarantine
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]]>Here are ten reasons why Some Good News with John Krasinski is awesome:
1. We all need to good news right now. It was wonderfully reassuring for both me and my teen.
2. Not to ruin it – but Steve Carrell! Office fans rejoice!
3. In their conversation, John and Steve discuss that one reason the show was so fun is because the cast was so supportive of each other and allowed each other to shine.
4. The other guest that he has is a teen named Coco who just finished chemo. She offers a great explanation for why staying home right now is so important, and I think hearing it from a teen is particularly powerful.
5. There’s a lot of gratitude here in a way that’s really lovely.
6. My teen says it’s a good mix of laughs and heartwarming feels. Laughter is so needed right now.
7. It reminds us that it’s okay to cry, whether because of joy or sadness or just feeling deeply.
8. The examples of good news remind us that we can all make a difference and that small acts can have a big impact.
9. Krasinski’s Boston accent makes an appearance.
10. It celebrates the human spirit.
As an added bonus, it may have you and your kids on the look out for some good news of your own to share for future episodes, and that’s awesome, too.
There are a lot of great conversations that can start here but if you just watch, laugh and feel together, that’s a great way to connect. And connecting is a great way to spend 15 minutes with your teen.
Prior Post: What I’ve learned about parenting a teen during quarantine
You May Also Like: 12 Fun family games to play with teens and tweens
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A deep breath can be a huge help
Uncharted territory is scary.
I had no improv experience whatsoever – none, nada, nothing – and I was nervous and fearing the unknown.
As my heart started racing, I took a deep breath.
And I felt a little better.
Another one, and my heart stopped racing quite so fast. Not normal, mind you, but let’s not be picky.
When fears associated with the pandemic start to creep in, I find that, once again, taking a deep breath can help, especially when it’s followed by another, and then yet another.
Know what matters
I met Blue Team captain Stacey Smith a few minutes before the start of the show. She’s as hilarious in person as she is on stage, and beautiful, and I’d like to be her when I grow up. Surprisingly, she made the greatest impact on me when she looked me square in the eyes and said, “It doesn’t matter” with a fair amount of seriousness.
It’s all about perspective, and knowing what’s important. Keeping people safe, promoting healthy habits, supporting those in need – those things matter.
I was worried about improv games and making a fool of myself, but she reminded me that it doesn’t matter if you get “out.” Don’t know what to do? It doesn’t matter. Worried about losing? Don’t be! It doesn’t matter! Also, it doesn’t matter if you do something totally silly or even make a complete fool of yourself.
It made me realize that I place a lot of importance on and devote an inordinate amount of mental energy to things that don’t matter.
As parents, it feels like all the things matter, all the times. And there are some big things that really do matter, especially in the teen years when you have to teach them how to drive a car without threatening the safety of the general public. Those things really do deserve our attention and angst.
While we face some significant inconveniences, ask yourself if, when thinking of the broader picture, it really matters. And it’s entirely possible that there are big things involved that matter – the big performance, the amazing spring break trip, the celebration of a major milestone. It’s reasonable to mourn those losses.
But also remember what matters most and think about doing your part to protect those things.
Commit and be all in
At first blush, this appears to be at odds with “it doesn’t matter,” but it turns out that it’s a whole lot easier to give 100% and put yourself out there when it doesn’t matter.
Around three-quarters of the way through the night, I realized that I had not seen one person in the audience on their phone. From my fun perch on the stage, I had a great vantage point. My teen in the front row who loves her some social media? Didn’t touch her phone once. When you are all in, it’s so much easier for others to be all in.
There’s something magical when a family is all in on the same thing. If we are all going to be spending more time at home with our families, figure out what might be fun to be all in on, and go for it. Baking, puzzles, games (plan tournaments to make up for the basketball conference tournaments that were cancelled), writing letters of gratitude to people in the community, find something.
One friend in Seattle said that she felt much better when she shifted her perspective from “this sucks for me” to “I’m doing my part.” Be all in on doing your part.
Storytelling is powerful
I’m afraid I had forgotten how very much I love to tell stories until one of the games at the ComedySportz show had me do just that. I told a story about a day in my life and my team reenacted it as a Broadway musical.
I opted for the time that I locked my two-year-old daughter in the car. Why not share my finest Mother of the Year moment?
I got a lot of positive feedback about the story, something I never could have imagined when I was in the moment. Time really is amazing.
It also reminded me that the stories we tell ourselves are powerful. That’s especially true of the stories we tell ourselves about our parenting.
This crazy time is going to give us some interesting stories to share later.
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Music – Spotify Premium
A subscription to this music streaming service was a big hit with my teen and really was the gift that kept on giving. I rather love that it isn’t a thing that has to be put away, dusted, or found. Music is important, especially at this age. We all remember tunes from our teen years, right? This allows kids to listen to, create and share their own playlists, without ads. There’s a subscription option for Spotify Premium for Students. Another options is a Spotify gift card.
Wireless Headphones
And once you have music, you have to look cool while listening to it, and that means AirPods. While wireless ear buds may be tiny, they are big with teens. (You might want to gift these with the caveat that they aren’t to be used during class, even if a teacher wouldn’t notice them. Seriously, kids are doing that.) These definitely count as a splurge, or a good option for those looking to go in as a group for a gift that has a big impact.
Gift Cards
Find the top gift card suggestions for teens here. Also, the Amazon Gift Card Superstore is worth checking out.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Who knew hydration was so trendy? My teen had a Hydro Flask on the top of her list. (She specified one with a straw lid. There are also handle lids and sport caps and open mouths, so you may want to ask to make sure you get jut what their heart desires.) It keeps liquids inside cold for 24 hours and warm for 12. A fun option is purchasing stickers for the flask so you child can personalize theirs (and make it harder to lose, hopefully.)
Streaming Subscription
With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, there are a ton of streaming services available now. Chances are your teen would like an account with one, or several. Series like The Office and Friends are popular with teens, and a subscription makes them easy to binge and that can be a good way for parents to connect with teens and tweens.
Also, a Roku is key to making the streaming possible and they won’t break the bank.
Experiences
Giving memories and experiences rather than physical items is a popular approach, and one that teens appreciate, especially if the experiences are tickets to a performance or sporting event they’d enjoy. One of my daughter’s friends is really hoping for tickets to a Blackhawks game and another is crossing her fingers that she’ll get to go to a Dan + Shay concert. Find 8 Experiences that make great gifts here.
Books
Winter break is a perfect time to curl up with a good book! There are lots of recently released books that would be great gifts. Find a list of books that make great gifts here and get suggestions of ones about current events that serve as solid conversation starters here.
Backpacks 
Under Armour backpacks (like this one) are hugely popular. Adidas backpacks (like this one) are good, too. A backpack/purse option is also popular, like this nylon one that’s an Amazon best seller.
Jewelry 
Monogrammed necklaces and bracelets, or those with the recipient’s name, are popular with girls, as are Pandora rings.
Food and/or Candy
It sounds simple, but teens would be delighted to get a gift bag full of their favorite foods. Many adore candy and gum. Check out Crave Box. Energy bars may be a good option for the health-conscious.
Water Speakers 
When I heard teens talking about “water speakers,” I was confused. They are speakers that also have a tiny enclosed fountain and LED lights that react to the music, so it’s a sound and light show. They’re fun, and a cheaper option than the wireless headphones.
Speakers that work in the shower, another kind of water speaker, also got big thumbs up.
Bath products 
Lotions, bath products, perfume and room scents are popular with the girls. Products with essential oils that promote energy or stress relief are welcome after finals. LUSH and Bath & Body Works both go over well, but the Target brand also got a thumbs up.
Favorite sweet Christmas commercials of 2018
You May Also Like: Great books to give teens as gifts
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Here are some fun Advent calendars that are great for teens and tweens.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning you don’t pay anything additional if you make a purchase but I may make a small commission to help keep the holiday lights on and twinkling.
Harry Potter Funko Pop Advent Calendar
Hogwarts is a special place throughout the year, but it was particularly magical at Christmas. The characters are all dressed for the Yule Ball. This fun calendar is great for wizards and muggles of all ages.
If you have a kid who loves gummy bears, or someone who just got their braces off, this could be a great option for them. With fruit and cola flavored gummy candies, marshmallows and licorice, this Advent calendar is full of daily taste treats. Appropriately, it’s made in Germany, where Advent calendars were first created.
Have a teen who loves cosmetics, skin care, and bath products? They’ll adore the 24 fun items in this cute Advent calendar, such as lip butter, a bath bomb, shea body butter, and coconut hand cream. All products are 100% vegetarian. We think the design of this calendar is super cute, too. At $64.66, it is, however, rather pricey. For a cheaper alternative, check out this Sephora option for $45 or 12 Days of Beauty Faves, which is under $30.
Man Stuff Men’s Toiletry Advent Calendar
Want to make grooming a bit more appealing and fun for adolescent boys? Perhaps this Advent calendar will do the trick. It includes a comb, nail brush, soap, hand sanitizer, a brush, face wash, and more.
Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar
With Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hitting theaters on December 20th, Star Wars will be taking over Christmas. Join in the fun with this Advent calendar that contains 24 minifigures that you can create from the 280 pieces, including Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Naboo Starfighter, and Poe’s X-wing as well as festive-themed porg and Gonk Droids. It’s great for ages 6 and up, and we can think of several adults who would love to have this, too.
If your Star Wars fan has a sweet tooth, they’ll love this Star Wars Advent calendarr with 24 Stormtrooper milk chocolates.
If you have someone who is more into Avengers, check out this LEGO Avengers Advent calendar.
This is perfect for teens and tweens who may be feeling creative this Christmas. They can use the pens, colored pencils, and other implements on the included 24 postcards and stickers to express their artistic side this holiday season. Would be so fun to have them create gifts using the items.
Fortnite Advent Calendar by Funko
Your favorite gamers will find tiny versions of their favorite Fortnite characters behind each door in this Advent calendar.
Nintendo Super Mario Advent Calendar
Use 17 figurines and 7 accessories featuring characters and items from the beloved game to create a scene using the calendar itself.
2019 Mars Christmas Advent Calendar
The M&M’s face on this calendar amuses us, and we like the with variety of the candy assortment found inside – Skittles, Twix, M&Ms, Snickers and more.
Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent-ure
Chocolate lovers and Anglophiles will delight at this delicious collection from the UK. Those who have been to Europe will be happy to see some Cadbury favorites again. If you’re not familiar, it’s really fun to discover these new treats. My only disappointment is that it doesn’t appear that any Flake bars are included. (I still miss them after studying in London, cough, 20+ years ago.)
OPI Hello Kitty Nail Polish Advent Calendar
OPI is one of the most popular nail polish brands among teens, and their holiday collection this year features an Advent calendar fun mini size Hello Kitty-inspired colors and a few beloved classics, too.
Festive Burlap Bags to make your own DIY Advent calendar
Create your own Advent calendar and gift your kids’ favorite candy, small gift items or coupons for things like getting out of a chore, pick what’s for dinner, or one-on-one time with a parent. We’ve done that at our house for years and it’s not only fun, it can be cost effective, too. You can put them wherever you like in the house.
Prior Post: A few of my favorite things: Parent of a HS senior edition
You May Also Like: The 12 days of Christmas with teens
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I’ve found that there are a few things that are helping me not only survive but really enjoy this period of parenting.
Flats from Rothy’s
This post contains affiliate links, meaning you don’t pay anything but I may make a small commission to help keep the lights on if you make a purchase through them. I’m picky, only share what I love, and all opinions are my own.
Parents are on the go and keeping up with a senior means good shoes are key. It’s hard to have a great day in shoes that hurt. This transitional period may be all about pushing beyond your comfort zone, and that’s a good thing, but that doesn’t mean your feet should feel uncomfortable. Rothy’s shoes have been my go to flats for the first two month of school and I love them. Let me count the ways:
- They are truly ridiculously comfortable;
- They are washable (really!); and
- They go with pretty much everything and are easy to dress up or down, meaning I can wear them to them work, the financial aid workshop or a moms’ night out; and
- They are sustainable, with part of them being made using recycled plastic water bottles.
They are my go-to, and I love that they are good for both the Earth and my sense of style. They aren’t cheap, but I’ve had one pair for a year and they’ve worn so well that I asked for a second for my birthday. Pro-tip: order a half size up from your usual size.
Books
I sadly fell off the reading wagon somewhere along the road through my teen’s junior year but I got back on it over the summer, and I’m so very glad I did. Ushering your child through adolescence can be a bit all-consuming, and I’ve found picking up a book is a great way to escape into another world and forget the teen issues. When I put my book down, I find that I am calmer and have a better perspective.
A few books I’ve read and enjoyed recently:
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett – This family saga is getting a lot of buzz and it is a great read that may also make you feel like parent of the year compared to some of the characters. The audio book is read by Tom Hanks and I’m a little sorry that I didn’t go that route.
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott – A collection of essays that will have moms nodding, laughing and feeling understood.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes – This enjoyable romance balances some sadness with some good laughs and fun pop culture references.
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher – The audio book read by Carrie Fisher herself came out a long time ago, but it was a great listen and full of timeless stories. While it made me miss Carrie Fisher tremendously, she had me in stitches and feeling thankful that my teen years did not include time in my mother’s cabaret show, as hers did.
I got them all from my local library, which I like to think helps balance out the cost of a pair of Rothy’s.
Time with Friends
The start of the academic year has been a bit more tumultuous than I had anticipated. Not all bad, but not easy, either. I’ve found that time with friends has truly been balm for my slightly battered soul.
Set up coffee, lunch, drinks, a chat by phone or Facetime as you fold laundry. Send a quick text. I know, it’s true that we are all super busy. Reach out anyway.
I’ve found that one-on-one time has been particularly great. Big groups are great, and if they energize you, that’s awesome. But if you’re feeling a bit discombobulated by the craziness your kid brings into your life, I’ve found that quieter is better and has led to exactly the kind of conversations that fill me up.
If you have friends who have kids a few years older, all the better. In fact, start with them. The reassurance and wisdom they offer can be invaluable.
Walks Outside
I’ve written several times about time is nature is great for our kids. Turns out, it’s great for adults, too. Fresh air, Vitamin D, and the fabulousness of fall can work wonders. On a walk today, I encountered a few deer, heard an owl gently hooting, marveled at the color of the leaves and came home in a much better place than when I had left.
I think getting a dog when you have a teenager is great because they will be happy to see you, as Nora Ephron said, but they’ll also motivate you to take more walks.
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Prior Post: How parents can use Banned Books Week to help kids become lifelong readers
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]]>Banned Books Week, which takes place the last week in September, is a great way to encourage kids to read. Point out that in certain places, they would not be allowed to read particular books.
This year’s theme for Banned Books Week is “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark Keep the Light On.” The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country.
George by Alex Gino
Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This YA novel that was made into a popular Netflix series was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
This graphic novel was banned in school libraries because it includes LGBTQIA+ characters and was considered “confusing.”
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curriculums because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.
Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Reasons: series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for including a same-sex couple. (While the ALA doesn’t say this, I’d like to add that these could be a lovely antidote to high school stress.)
If you really want to get your kid to do something, do it yourself and find pleasure in it. At least, that’s one way to raise a kid who reads who grows up to be an adult who reads, according to the article Why Do Some People Become Lifelong Readers in The Atlantic.
The experts in the article had additional suggestions for encouraging kids to read, including “talk about books during meals or car rides, indicating that they’re just as compelling a subject of conversation as the day’s events; make regular stops at libraries and bookstores, and stay a while; and give books as birthday gifts.”
You can do any of those with a few titles from Banned Books Week. Adolescents are most likely to get into titles of their own choosing, so start by talking about Banned Books Week generally and see what titles grab them.
Being willing to read what interests your teen can be the start of a great shared experience and talking about why they were banned is a great jumping off point.
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Prior Post: Favorite pieces about raising adolescents that I’ve read recently and found helpful
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