Creating a safe social environment for your teenagers and their friends

Sometimes it seems like teenagers are a whole different species. Suddenly, that sweet child morphs into a moody, secretive, truculent individual and no matter how hard parents try, they simply fail to say or do the right thing.

Is this sounding at all familiar?

When adolescence kicks in and hormones begin to work their weird magic on the behaviour of once lovable offspring, parents need to be prepared. Remember that keeping kids close keeps them safe, so do whatever can be done to create a welcoming, relaxed and ‘cool’ home environment.

Think about how teenagers behave. They love nothing better than to sprawl around on sofas, doing very little, chatting, socialising, watching TV or playing video games. If there is space in the home for a room that can be dedicated to teenage pastimes, the chances of keeping children close improve. Fill the room with plenty of comfortable, high quality seating and soft furnishings, carefully chosen items that are both fashionable and functional. Sometimes it seem that teenagers are in a world of their own and don’t notice a thing, but if a room is filled with tacky, ugly furniture they will vote with their feet.

Teenagers love to cocoon, so scatter the room with throws, cushions and beanbags, all designed to make them feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. The perfect teenage hang out would have to include an internet and a Wi-Fi connection, so that online socialising and gaming is made easy. Of course, when teenagers get together they sometimes egg each other on, so ensure that parental controls are well observed and kept up to date.

Lighting

The right lighting is key to success in a teenager’s lair. Homework and studies require good strong light, but for mood and atmosphere, softer tones work better. It’s best to have the option of both – strong lighting is essential for waking teenagers up in the morning and is a good preventative measure against certain unwanted behaviours!

Privacy

It is important that teenagers enjoy an element of privacy, so a room of their own is the best option. If space is in short supply, reserve a zone where the teenagers can feel relaxed and hang out. The places that tend to be teen-magnets, where many congregate and feel happy and relaxed, are those households where the parents are equally relaxed. Uptight parents imposing rules and creating a bad atmosphere with their loud sighs and critical words are not the most popular with teenagers.

Food

Teenagers love to eat and snack, so a fridge in their room can work well. Some parents resist this type of indulgence because it just means another fridge to stock. However, they frequently change their minds once they have experienced the ‘locust-effect’ of a group of hungry teenagers on the shared family fridge in the kitchen.

It is a tough world out there and if we can create space at home where our kids feel happy and relaxed, than surely that is ultimately a good thing. By thinking through and applying a few of the ideas above, we can provide a safe, happy place in which our teenagers and their friends can socialise and grow up.