It’s summertime! School is out, and my teens’ stomachs have officially kicked into overdrive. They’ve been ready for summer break since the day state testing ended. I’ve got an 11-year-old girl, twin 13-year-old boys, and a 16-year-old boy — fresh out of 6th, 7th, and 11th grades. And let me tell you, they are so done with structure (unless it involves snacks). Parenting teenagers requires a unique set of skills. They want independence but also want you close by. They get bored quickly, but if you suggest something to do, it’s met with side-eye. Their moods can flip faster than a TikTok trend.
My teens span from procrastinators to the do-everything-now-and-at-once personalities. I have teens who remember what day it is and those who live in the feral world of technology. Half of my teens prefer to do their chores in the morning, so they can spend the rest of the day chilling, while the other half prefers to complete their chores in 15 segments, taking them most of the day to finish. (And they inevitably complain that they’ve been “working” all day.)
Beyond home chores, the kids still also have academic responsibilities: required readings, online math courses, and ACT prep. The twins will be taking algebra I next year, so they must complete coursework for pre-algebra as assigned by their teacher on Khan Academy. Our rising 7th grader can strengthen her math foundations, too, by completing free online courses at Khan Academy. A few lessons a day really help to fight against the summer slide. (That’s the phenomenon where students forget instructional concepts over the summer and regress in their knowledge.) My eldest son recently got a 33 on the ACT. He’s aiming for a 36!
All four of my teens have required reading from their school, and only one has actually taken the steps to obtain their necessary books. Am I going to remind the other three? Absolutely not! Ha! They get the same emails I get from their teachers, and I think this is a perfectly safe opportunity to learn “Prior Proper Planning Prevents a Poor Performance.” May the odds be ever in their favor.
But I don’t want summer to be all work. I want my kids to enjoy their friends, family, and each other — and maybe even look back and say, “It was a’ight.” (I know better than to hope for more enthusiastic reviews.) Since all their personalities are so different, I needed something flexible but motivating. So I gamified it: Summer BINGO! It gives them structure and freedom, which is key when working with teens.
Here are some things they can find on their BINGO Card.
• Fix or enhance something around the house
• Host a summer party
• Attend a music concert
• Write and mail a letter to five people
• Initiate “The Talk” with Mom or Dad
• Have a “low interaction” day
• Attend a festival
• Craft something new (IRL!)
• Visit a museum
• Sit with an elder
• Go on a nature walk
• Conduct 10 random acts of kindness
• Eat pizza for breakfast
• Learn a TikTok dance and teach it to someone
The rules:
1. Black-out BINGO! All of the activities must be completed!
2. No doubling-up. Each activity must be its own separate episode in a season. For example, your “Enjoy a Fun Outdoor Activity” cannot also be “Go Swimming” or “Visit a Farmers Market.”
3. Document the moment! You can document using pictures, video, or journaling! (Random acts of kindness can be exempt from this rule.)
4. No loopholes. This is a traditional BINGO, not a Gen Z or Gen Alpha remix.
5. One square per day! This BINGO should take a minimum of 25 days to complete.
6. Prize: This BINGO must be completed by July 31st. The winners will receive a “Yes” token. This token can turn a “no” or “maybe” into a “yes”! (Cannot be redeemed on “hell naws.”)
While summer always seems to fly by, I’m hoping this BINGO challenge helps to break up the monotony and add a little intentional fun to the chaos. It’s also a sneaky way to cut down on the nagging — a win for me! And honestly, I’m sure I’ll end up having a few unexpected adventures of my own. I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on how the teens are doing. Wish us luck!
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. By day, she’s an assistant principal and writer, but by night … she’s asleep.
