Ah, the joys of parenting. What do you do when your “little” ones are not so little anymore? It seems like just yesterday they were playing with toy trucks and coloring outside the lines. Now, you’ve got an 8 year-old and 10 year-old and they've discovered the magical world of eye-rolling and mood swings. But fear not, staying connected to your preteens is as easy as...well, the sarcasm in this blog post. 😂
1. Spy on Their Text Message
Let's start with the basics. Your kids may think they're tech-savvy, but you can outsmart them. Install a spy app on their phones and read all their messages. Privacy? Pffffft! Remember, you're just trying to stay connected, not invading their personal space.
2. The Age-Old Tactic of Bribery
Kids this age love stuff. So, bribe them with toys, candy, and Robux! Make a deal: for every hour of quality time spent with you, they get a reward. It's just like training a pet!
3. Family Game Night
Why not force your children into an evening of Monopoly, where alliances crumble and tears flow? It's all in the name of family bonding! Plus, when they bankrupt you, you can teach them valuable life lessons about winning and losing. It's great!
4. Hire a Translator
When they start talking in their secret kid language, don't bother trying to understand. Just hire a translator to decode phrases like “sus,” "yeet," and “cap.” You'll be in the know in no time!
In all seriousness, staying connected with your preteens doesn't require bribes or spy apps. It's about finding genuine ways to spend quality time together. These days, for me and my sons, that is joining my oldest’s pirate crew on Roblox’s Blox Fruits and making finger hearts with my youngest. 🫶 (Side note: Did you know there is a new way to do finger hearts? If you are using your thumb to do it, you're old school. All the cool kids know to use their index and middle fingers.)
So, don’t get too bogged down in eye-rolls and moody phases. Cherish the moments when they do let you in, even if it's just for a little while. They grow up so fast. Besides, you can always out-snark them!
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