things to do when home alone teenager
Being a teenager can be both fun and challenging. One of the perks of being a teenager is having the house to yourself when your parents are away. This means having the freedom to do whatever you want without anyone looking over your shoulder. However, with great freedom comes great responsibility. Being home alone as a teenager can be exciting, but it is important to remember to make wise decisions and stay safe. In this article, we will discuss some fun and productive things to do when home alone as a teenager.
1. Have a movie marathon
One of the best ways to spend your time when home alone is by having a movie marathon. You can catch up on all the latest movies that you have been wanting to watch or binge-watch your favorite TV series. Make some popcorn, grab some snacks, and settle in for a day of entertainment. You can even invite some friends over and turn it into a movie night.
2. Cook or bake something new
Being home alone is the perfect opportunity to try out a new recipe without anyone judging your cooking skills. You can look up recipes online or in cookbooks and challenge yourself to make something delicious. Baking is also a great activity to do when you are alone at home. You can experiment with different ingredients and create your own unique treats.
3. Have a spa day
Who says you need to go to a fancy spa to relax and pamper yourself? You can create your own spa day at home when you are alone. Light some scented candles, put on some soothing music, and give yourself a manicure, pedicure, or a facial. You can also take a long bath with some bath bombs or essential oils to unwind and destress.
4. Exercise
Being home alone is the perfect time to work on your fitness. You can try out some new workout routines or follow along with an online fitness class. If you have a home gym, you can use this time to get a good workout in without anyone interrupting you. Exercise is not only great for your physical health but also for your mental well-being.
5. Read a book
If you are someone who loves to read, being home alone is the perfect opportunity to dive into a good book. You can curl up on the couch or in your bed and get lost in a fictional world. Reading is not only a great way to pass the time, but it also helps improve your vocabulary, concentration, and imagination.
6. Learn a new skill
Do you have a skill that you have always wanted to learn but never had the time for? Well, being home alone is the perfect time to start. You can learn a new language, how to play an instrument, or even a new hobby like painting or knitting. There are plenty of online resources and tutorials available to help you learn something new.
7. Declutter and organize your room
With school, extracurricular activities, and social life, it can be challenging to find the time to organize your room. Being home alone is the perfect opportunity to declutter and organize your space. You can clean out your closet, rearrange your furniture, or even redecorate. A clean and organized room not only looks better but can also improve your mood and productivity.
8. Catch up with friends and family
Being home alone doesn’t mean you have to be isolated. You can use this time to catch up with your friends and family. You can call them, video chat, or even write them a letter. It’s always nice to stay connected with your loved ones, and being home alone gives you the perfect opportunity to do so.
9. Start a new project
Do you have a project that you have been wanting to start but haven’t had the time for? Well, now is the time to get started. It can be anything from a DIY project to writing a novel. Being home alone gives you the space and time to focus on your project without any distractions.
10. Learn to be independent
Being home alone as a teenager is a great way to learn how to be independent. You can practice basic life skills like cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. You can also learn how to manage your time and be responsible for yourself. These skills will come in handy when you move out and start living on your own.
11. Get creative
Being home alone can also bring out your creative side. You can try out some DIY projects, draw, paint, or write. You can also create a vision board, make a scrapbook, or even start a bullet journal. These creative activities not only help pass the time but also allow you to express yourself.
12. Relax and do nothing
With school, extracurricular activities, and social life, teenagers can have a busy schedule. Being home alone gives you the chance to relax and do nothing. You can take a nap, listen to music, or just sit and enjoy the silence. It’s important to take a break and recharge your batteries.
13. Plan for your future
As a teenager, it’s never too early to start planning for your future. You can use your alone time to research colleges, scholarships, or career options. You can also start working on your resume or learn some new skills that will help you in the future.
14. Do some volunteer work
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and gain valuable experience. When you are home alone, you can use this time to do some volunteer work. You can volunteer at a local organization, help out a neighbor, or even start your own community service project.
15. Practice self-care
Being home alone is the perfect time to practice self-care. You can take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You can meditate, do some yoga, or practice mindfulness. Self-care is essential for your overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, being home alone as a teenager can be a fun and productive experience. It’s important to remember to make wise decisions and stay safe while you are home alone. Whether you choose to relax and do nothing or learn a new skill, use this time to make the most out of your alone time.
why am i not receiving ask to buy requests
When Apple introduced the “Ask to Buy” feature in 2014, it was met with widespread praise from parents. The feature, which allows parents to approve or decline purchases made by their children on their devices, was seen as a way to provide better control over their children’s spending habits. However, there have been numerous reports of parents not receiving the “Ask to Buy” requests, leaving them puzzled and concerned about their children’s online activities.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why some parents are not receiving the “Ask to Buy” requests and what steps can be taken to ensure the feature works properly.
What is “Ask to Buy”?
Before we delve into the reasons for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests, let’s first understand what the feature is and how it works. “Ask to Buy” is a parental control feature introduced by Apple for its family sharing plan. It allows parents to set up a family group and add their children to it. Once added, parents can enable “Ask to Buy” for their children’s accounts, which means that every time their child attempts to make a purchase on the App Store, iTunes, or iBooks, the parents will receive a notification asking for approval.
The feature is designed to give parents more control over their children’s spending habits and prevent them from making unauthorized purchases. It also allows parents to set spending limits and track their children’s purchases. However, the feature is only available for children under the age of 18 and can only be used on devices running iOS 8 or later.
Reasons for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests
Despite its intended purpose, many parents have reported not receiving the “Ask to Buy” requests, which has left them frustrated and worried about their children’s online activities. There can be several reasons for not receiving the requests, and we will discuss them in detail below.
1. Child’s age
The most common reason for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests is that the child is above the age limit set by Apple. As mentioned earlier, the feature is only available for children under the age of 18. If your child is above this age, then the feature will not work, and they will be able to make purchases without parental approval.
To check your child’s age, go to the “Family Sharing” settings on your device and select your child’s account. If they are above 18, you will need to remove them from the family group and add them back when they are under 18.
2. Incorrect settings
Another reason for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests could be incorrect settings. The feature needs to be enabled for each child’s account individually, and if it is not enabled, you will not receive the requests. To check if the feature is enabled for your child’s account, go to the “Family Sharing” settings and select their account. If “Ask to Buy” is not turned on, then toggle it on to start receiving requests.
3. Device restrictions
If you have set up restrictions on your child’s device, it could be preventing “Ask to Buy” requests from coming through. These restrictions could be related to in-app purchases, which can be disabled from the “Screen Time” settings. Go to “Settings” > “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions” > “iTunes & App Store Purchases” and make sure “In-app purchases” is set to “Allow.”
4. Different Apple IDs
If your child uses a different Apple ID than the one used in the family sharing group, then the “Ask to Buy” feature will not work. This is because the feature is tied to the family sharing group’s Apple ID, and any purchases made with a different ID will not trigger the request. To fix this, make sure your child’s device is using the same Apple ID as the one used in the family sharing group.
5. Poor internet connection
Another reason for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests could be a poor internet connection. The requests are sent through the internet, and if your connection is weak or unstable, then the requests may not come through. Make sure your device has a stable internet connection to receive the requests.
6. Delay in notifications
There have been reports of delays in receiving “Ask to Buy” notifications, which could be due to various reasons. If your child has made a purchase, but you have not received the notification, try refreshing the “Family Sharing” settings or restarting your device. If the problem persists, you may need to contact Apple support for further assistance.
7. Glitch in the system
Like any technology, “Ask to Buy” is not immune to glitches and bugs. If none of the above reasons apply to you, then there may be an issue with the feature itself. In this case, you will need to contact Apple support for help in troubleshooting the issue.
8. Change in primary payment method
If the primary payment method used in the family sharing group is changed, it could affect the “Ask to Buy” feature. This is because any changes in the payment method may require authorization from the account owner, which could delay or prevent the request from coming through. To avoid this, make sure to update your primary payment method before making any purchases.
9. Purchases made with gift cards
Another reason for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests could be if your child is making purchases using gift cards. Since the purchases are not tied to the family sharing group’s payment method, the requests will not be triggered. To prevent this, make sure to disable the option to use gift cards for purchases in the “Family Sharing” settings.
10. Purchase history
Apple has set a limit on how many “Ask to Buy” requests can be sent in a day. This limit is set to five requests and is based on the purchase history of the family sharing group. If the limit has been reached, then any additional requests will not be sent until the next day.
What can be done to ensure “Ask to Buy” requests work properly?
Now that we have discussed the reasons for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests, let’s look at some steps that can be taken to ensure the feature works properly.
1. Ensure the “Ask to Buy” feature is enabled for each child’s account.
2. Check that your child’s age is below 18.
3. Make sure your child’s device is using the same Apple ID as the one used in the family sharing group.
4. Update your primary payment method before making any purchases.
5. Disable the option to use gift cards for purchases in the “Family Sharing” settings.
6. Check for any restrictions on your child’s device related to in-app purchases.
7. Make sure your device has a stable internet connection.
8. Contact Apple support if you are experiencing delays in receiving notifications.
9. Monitor your child’s purchase history to ensure the limit of five requests per day is not reached.
10. Check for any updates to the “Ask to Buy” feature and make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS.
Conclusion
The “Ask to Buy” feature is a valuable tool for parents to monitor and control their children’s spending habits. However, it is not without its flaws, and some parents have reported not receiving requests, leaving them worried and frustrated. In this article, we have discussed the reasons for not receiving “Ask to Buy” requests and what steps can be taken to ensure the feature works properly. By following these steps and regularly monitoring your child’s online activities, you can make the most of this parental control feature and provide a safe and secure online experience for your children.