Living in the Territory with teenagers

Weekends are less about shopping centres, cafés and coffee shops - although we have these too. But add to that - road trips, markets, camping, fishing and riding your bike places.

Public transport exists, but cars, bikes and scooters are the preferred mode of transport.

The Territory is not built up which means less traffic, less commuting and more time for enjoying the scenery and connecting with nature.

Kids play a lot of sports up here, and kids from the city know kids from out of town having played against them in soccer, football, netball, rugby… you name it! It’s not a surprise for your kid to know so-and-so whose mother you used to work with over 6 years ago – as six degrees of separation is more like two up here.

Your teenagers will still hassle you for the latest Nintendo or Xbox, there is no escaping technology, even here, but add to that being harassed for rugby balls, fishing lures and rods, quad bikes and motorbikes.

Camping is second nature. Most kids can light a fire (or a firework for that matter!),they can erect a tent, own a sleeping bag, and have swum in a waterfall at least once in the last year.

Smaller population numbers mean kids get to lead more. At school, in sport, in the local play - as the competition for these opportunities is less fierce.

The Territory is very multicultural, and we boast less picky eaters as kids are exposed to samosa’s, spring rolls, roti’s and Greek desserts from an early age. Be it from their friends, family friends or the many multicultural markets scattered across the Territory.

Of course, raising teens up here is still going to push your parenting limits, the battles for independence, the latest tech and you’re still bound to eye roll weekly. But when they come to you and ask for you to run them down to watch their local footy team play in the grand final, you get a hint that you might be just living in the right place for them to grow, learn and connect with community.