Hi - maybe you guys can help!

I am the step mom to a 15 year old girl. I have been in her life since she was 5 and we have a very good relationship. A few years ago circumstances became such that we now live in a diffrent state then her mother and we have her for all extended school breaks, all of summer. We moved two years ago - last summer was her first on in the state we are now. I also have a 4 year old, a 1 year old and one due to make an appreance any day now.

I am trying to find things that my 15 year old can enjoy doing that will help her to meet others her age during the summer. I know at 15 I would have been bored out of my mind cooped up with little kiddies all day and no friends to hang out with. Our neighborhood (and circle of friends) are all little kids (5 and younger). There are not many camps offered for her age (or they top out at 15). She is very mature. I want to find SOMETHING to keep her entertained and having fun through the summer. Any ideas? Someone else has go to have faced a long distance teen thing. How do I help her make friends here?

Thanks for any advice / input!

Sara

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saraedawson@yahoo.com

Mommy to Jake, Alexis, Abigail and Joshua, Wife to Matt

What a great step mom you are to want her to have fun! I would suggest looking at the local high school for any clubs/groups or activities she may enjoy that they have going on. That is such an awkward age to try to fit in.

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

If you are near a university you may see if they have clases for art or drama, if she is interested in this type of thing. Is there a swim and tennis club nearby that she could join for the summer that she might be able to walk or bike to? I wish I could help more.

That is great that you want her to have a good time and are even planning things for her, great job!

How about things that you all can do, like going to a pool or lake swimming? She can sunbathe and the kids can play?

Maybe she can have a friend visit for a week?

Is there a fair to go to?

Maybe volunteer at an animal shelter?

What does she like to do?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

The pool idea is a great one. She can hang out with the whole family plus meet some teens her own age.
It also depends on the teen, if she's not a social girl then maybe she'd just rather hang out with the family, ya know.

What does she say about it? What is she interested in doing? I think it's great that you're giving a lot of thought and concern to this, but given how fickle kids can be at this age, I'm not sure how far I'd go without knowing whether she's receptive.

Maybe collect a bunch of flyers and info and stuff and make up an idea bulletin board for her when she arrives.

cj/

Check your local community library, they usually have things for teen during the summer, also if you have a water park or something like that nearby, you can get her a season pass, also at 15, she might want a part time job, maybe at a carwash or something, and meet some teens there? Also, check for summer camps at nearby colleges, they always have dance camps, sports camps and stuff going on, when I was 15 I went to a ballroom dance camp and that was SO much fun!

What about at a local hospital as a volunteer? I know libraries will take kids for volunteering! If she doesn't want to volunteer our local libraries have great teen programs to go through the summer. Do you guys have Parks and Recreation Service? Check there too.

Or even a job(most grocery stores I know will hire at 15 as a bag girl and she won't work more than twenty hours) that way shes saving money and meeting some local kids. I really wanted a summer job when I was that age but Dad said no way!! I think its great for kids to have a summer job. We have a small waterpark here in jax and a ton of kids are trained to be life guards.

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

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How about checking with your park district...our local park district offers many activities and they vary by age range and also interests. There are sports, and then cheerleading camps, just a variety of things for kids to do in the summer

Sara Beth you are a great step mom for thinking about your step dd 's needs for the summer!!!

Does she drive? If not, maybe enrolling her in some driving education classes. This is what alot of kids that age do over the summer.
Are you a member of a church? Is so, alot of VBS need teenage help to run their camps over the summer.
Get a pass for a local amusement park or waterpark. Perhaps have her work at a park to meet some friends.
Movies and the mall are big teenage hangouts over the summer. Maybe, see if she would like working there to make a few dollars and to meet some friends.

Another place teenage kids like to be is the ice ring or roller ring.

Hangout at the local pool, beach or Y.

Someone already suggested calling the local HS to see what activities their students might be involved in, I would call now before they break for the summer. Perhaps you could even speak to one of the HS parent organizations and they could tell you what their child does in the summer, etc.

Thanks for all the messages / ideas.

I have gained a few ideas. We live in a small town (I literally go watch my milk and eggs come off the farm), so there are fewer services so to speak than in a bigger town. We do have a community pool though. I also had not thought of volunteer work, which she really enjoys.

As far as driving - she does have her learners permit, but it is only valid in her mother's state. I would love to have her drive / take lessons here as it would be great timing, but alas state laws! We also thought about a job - but again she is only here June thru Aug and we have two summer vacations. I don't know of an employer that would hire someone (and train them) for so little work. Also the kids here get out of school two weeks before her, so I am sure they will have taken the summer jobs by then.

I am just worried if I wait until summer the things she could be doing will be gone. Plus with the little ones that are here now I need to plan for them. (VBS and such). Hopefully once this baby comes out I will feel more organized and less stressed! Thanks again for all the ideas - really.

Sara

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saraedawson@yahoo.com

Mommy to Jake, Alexis, Abigail and Joshua, Wife to Matt