Take A Hike!

Your teen needs you, perhaps now more than ever before in his or her life. Build the right relational bridges, establish the lines of communication well, and you might find yourself really enjoying that teenaged boy or girl in your home.

In a previous post I referenced "Preparing for Adolesence," which involves a trip with your teen or pre-teen. This time I want to direct your attention to another trip, this one designed exclusively for a mother and her teen daughter, or a father and his teen son.

"Christ in the Tetons" is a relatively new ministry that offers a fantastic one week adventure experience in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Nothing unites a parent and their teen quite like the challenge and excitement of mountain adventure! Christ in the Tetons offers a memorable, meaningful time of excitement and reflection. Note that they describe their courses for parents and their children, but welcome and encourage the attendance of committed mentors and their protégés.

Consider their course adventures (this is what they do with fathers and sons, and I am uncertain as to how they will approach their first mother-daughter course offering this summer): rock climbing, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, trips to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, sightseeing in Jackson Hole, a Chuckwagon Dinner and Old West Show.

If you can set aside a week, you won't find a better way to spend quality, spiritually-oriented time with your son or daughter than at Christ in the Tetons. I've spent the past two summers taking each of my oldest sons on adventures with this ministry, and am thoroughly pleased with the outstanding activities, speakers, fellowship, food, personal challenge - and most importantly, the talk time with my boys.

Priceless!

Preparing for Adolescence

If your child is approaching the teen years, you really ought to consider at least a couple of things in helping them make the transition to adulthood. The old stereotype of 14 year-olds with an attitude disrupting the family and causing conflict is just that: a stereotype. Your child doesn't have to fit that image. You can help him or her effectively prepare for the teen years.

I am a huge believer in Dr. James Dobson's "Preparing for Adolescence" audio and workbook materials. I have used these resources with great satisfaction twice, once with each of my older boys. If you want to make a great connection with your child, one that will continue throughout their teen years, then get the book and CDs.


Dr. Dobson's approach is to help pre-teens prepare for the turbulence of adolescence by talking through the impending changes they will experience, physical, emotional and intellectual. His sage advice is spoken directly to the child, and his straightforward delivery of sensitive topics will help your pre-teen know better what to expect in the coming years. Key to using this material is going through it together on a special weekend getaway. There is an audio resource that details how to go about doing that. Listen and learn. Then do!

Next time: An exercise to encourage the next generation.

A Good Question

If God were to take you home today... what would your wife and children hold in their hands tomorrow that would let them know that they were the treasures of your life?

Greg Vaughn, Founder and President of an organization called Letters From Dad, thought about the question and admitted this:

"As I pondered that piercing question, I had to sadly answer…NOTHING, just like my father left me NOTHING."

He continues, "Shortly after this garage event, I called twelve of my closest friends and asked them to go with me on a journey I was calling Letters from Dad. It was during our months together that God revealed a marvelous plan whereby we could leave a legacy of faith, hope and love through the lost art of letter writing. Upon completion of our time together every one of these Godly men told me that it was one of the most significant events of their lives."

Interested in making a difference? Check out Greg's website. And start writing your answer!