Raising teenagers is not for sissies… especially if you’re the kind of parent who still holds on to dear old fashioned family values. Have kids while you’re young, they said. You’ll grow up with them and they won’t be able to get up to no-good without you knowing. Well, let me tell you something: ignorance might in fact be bliss.

Peer pressure has always been a thing, but nothing like it is right now. It’s all about who has the most expensive phone with the best selfie camera and the most likes on Instagram. It’s not about how you can find a guy or girl to marry one day, but rather about getting through all the boys and girls in the school as quickly as possible, and then doing a rinse and repeat. If you’re really enlightened, you’ll become BFFs with all your ex boyfriends’ ex-girlfriends. And the more people you like on social media, the more likes you’ll get and you’ll be like… SO Tumblr (because cool is so last season!).

Of course, that means that little kids from as young as six have to be glued to their phones 24/7 – just in case they miss that uber-important response to their insightful conversations.

Kid 1: WUD
(What are you doing?)
Kid 2: LOMB U
(Laying on my bed, what about you?)
Kid 1: LOL
(Laugh out loud)
Kid 2: WUD
Kid 1: WTV
(Watching TV)

And so it goes. Every day, all day – amidst scrolling mindlessly through quotes, photos and other mindless junk for hours on end.

No-no-NO!!! As parents, it is time to put a stop to all of this. Unplug them from technology and plug them back into the family. Here’s how we can stop our kids from turning into techno-zombies.

Make time to talk – Kids don’t volunteer information about what’s going on in their lives. It’s up to you to ask questions and get to know their friends. Make it easy for them to open up to you.

Mealtime is family-time – Life is busy, but your kids are important. Make at least one meal a day a family affair.

Do things together – Find a favourite TV show the whole family enjoys, read a book, play a sport, ride a bicycle, go for a run…

Here are some of the best ways to get them out into the sunshine and fresh air, sans screens:

Spend an action packed session learning how to carve up the sand dunes on a sandboard. Whether you are an absolute beginner or veteran board rider, you will experience an adrenalin rush guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Kids bouncing off the walls? Now you can tap into their energy with 2 hours of outdoor obstacle courses from Acrobranch. Each of the five Acrobranch parks in South Africa offers a variety of obstacle courses, some for fit teens and adults, and others more suitable for kids.

Enjoy South Africa’s only pirate boat, offering the young at heart an authentic adventure filled experience. Once on-board, clients will enjoy a 60 minute cruise to include the best views that Cape Town has to offer. Pirates keep children and adults entertained with theatrics, singing and face painting for the children. If you’re lucky enough, you may even see some dolphins who frequently visit the pirate ship and swim alongside the boat. Definitely a different type of experience and one to be remembered for quite some time.

If you prefer a relaxing cruise to soak in the serene beauty of Hartbeespoort Dam or seek high adventure in an adrenalin rush experience, we offer a variety of cruises to best suit your needs. Whether it is to spend quality time with your family or loved one or to have a great time with friends or colleagues.

Do you have any more great ways to keep the kids entertained? Please share in comments!

#FamilyOutings #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyTime

Source: https://www.onlinegiftshop.co/