Just like that, people’s lives were turned upside down in a matter of weeks as Covid19 began it’s spread into the communities. While this was a difficult challenge for everyone, it was most difficult for the teenagers of the world. Teens in our society were just starting their second semester of school, working hard at their grades, participating in team sports/clubs, and socializing with their friends. Almost over night, all of that vanished for most students. What began as a two week Spring Break for some, turned into the rest of the semester and into summer break for all. Amidst all of this was the challenge of adapting to online school, which caused routines to shift and a new type of learning for teenagers. It also caused teenagers to isolate at no decision of their own, which turned into lack of social interaction for many. All of these things combined most likely caused some type of distress for teens, possibly leading to anxiety, depression, and more.
While it’s important to note that everyone has been affected in some way or another from this virus, it’s still vital to keep an eye on your teen during these difficult times. In this article, I highlight a few tips and suggestions for communicating with your teen and assessing your teen to make sure they are dealing with their emotions in a healthy and appropriate way. Also, what to do if they are struggling and having a hard time.
Make Time to Check In…
I’ve suggested to many parents that they set a time as a family to take a walk together or play games each week or weekend. By doing this, it gives teens and children a chance to talk about their week and how they’ve been feeling. It also allows families to stick to a schedule but one that allows for positive interactions with each other. It also helps to create some togetherness so that not everyone feels so alone and isolated during quarantine.
Allow for Some Netflix and Chill Time
Most people will say that too much TV is bad for a teen, especially given that they are always on their phones and social media. During this time, however, I say allow it for a certain amount of time. Obviously, encourage your teenager to get outside and exercise but later in the day it can be beneficial for a teenager to have some TV time to unwind. Not to mention, most teens have a show or two that brings them some type of comfort. I know for me, those shows are Friends and The Office. They are the type of shows that make you laugh but also make you feel at ease being with the familiarity of the characters. When social interaction is out, sometimes this can help a teen to de-stress and not over analyze the things that may be stressing them out. While I wouldn’t encourage a full 8 hour day watching TV, a little bit won’t hurt.
Are they Following a Schedule of Some Sort?
While it may not be perfect, assessing whether or not your teen is following some sort of a schedule is important. Some days they may need to sleep in and that’s okay, but for the most part are they waking up at a regular time (most days), taking care of their hygiene, getting work done or homework assignments, and getting outdoors? These are the basics of a schedule that should be adapted when in quarantine. Some sort of schedule will allow your teen to stay motivated and productive. It will also help to decrease any likelihood of depression or anxiety developing.
Are They Talking to Their Friends Enough? If Not, Give Them Some Encouragement to Reach Out.
At the beginning of quarantine, it seemed as though Zoom video calls and apps like “House Party” were being used all the time by teens and their friends. It was almost as though people were brought together by the virus in a virtual sense. It was a new way to hang out and be a part of the conversation with others. However, by the end of the first month, we witnessed a big decline in the usage and most teens started to say they hadn’t spoken to their friends in awhile. Perhaps it was becoming boring or mundane. Regardless, keeping an eye on your teen when it comes to their social interactions is highly important. If they are well balanced and speaking to their friends here and there, that’s great. If they’ve completely shut down after normally being on calls or texting with their peers, it may be time to step in and ask if everything is alright. Even if they report, “I just don’t feel like talking to so and so and it’s boring, etc”, try encouraging them to reach out to a friend they haven’t spoken to in awhile, even a cousin or family member. Otherwise, it can be easy to fall into bad habits.
