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More Tips for Parents of Teens

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If you’re a parent of a teen, you understand that life occasionally feels like an emotional rollercoaster for them – even under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has made life anything but normal, which means that teens are going to experience their fair share of unique struggles as well.

There are, however, plenty of things that can help make the time you’re all sharing at home a little bit easier – they’ll lessen the anxiety, stress, confusion or fear that your teen may be feeling right now.

Be ready to listen
These are strange times, to be sure. We’re all processing current events, troubling news that seems to change by the hour, and an uncertain future. It’s a lot to work through, and your teen may have lots of questions, opinions and concerns they want to discuss – here’s your chance to listen to them without judgment or reproach.

By providing your teen with an understanding ear, you’ll give them the chance to unload as well as untangle the complex emotions they’re feeling. Knowing that they can talk to a parent can also be a reassurance – they won’t feel alone.

Be ready to give them space
If there’s one thing that just about every teen and their parents can agree on, it’s that teens really value their privacy! In a self-isolation or quarantine situation, this notion becomes doubly important. Give your teen the opportunity to spend time alone in their room, in the yard or anywhere else they feel comfortable, and try to avoid setting a let’s-all-hang-out-together expectation.

Likewise, it helps to be considerate of their time – even under quarantine, they may have plans to talk or game with friends online, or personal projects they’re working on. If you want everyone together, it helps to plan ahead and around their schedules.

Connect on their level
What kind of music is your teen into these days? What was the last good book they read? Have they mastered that skateboard trick yet? Here is an excellent opportunity for you to connect with your teen about their interests, hobbies and passions.

Doing so can help build your teen’s confidence, knowing that their interests are being taken seriously. And it will also act as a welcome distraction from the constant discussion of current events – something we can all do with!

Encourage them to stay connected as well
Social distancing rules have meant that we’re all having to stay away from one another. Your teen’s social life is very important to them and maintaining those connections to their friends matters right now – especially when it means being supportive and empathetic to others.

By encouraging your teen to remain connected to their peers, you’re letting them know that their social relationships matter. And they’ll be able to foster stronger relationships with others during a time when that’s crucial to their mental wellbeing.

Let them help out
Right now, we’re all trying to problem solve. For some, that means cutting costs and getting creative with existing resources. For others, that means planning ahead for an uncertain future, or figuring out how to keep younger family members engaged and busy.

Not easy stuff, but your teen will appreciate being asked to contribute to some very grown-up tasks – and you might be surprised at the fresh, creative way they approach these challenges. Talk about a great way to help bolster their self-worth while also learning about the value of effective problem solving!

If you’re a parent of a teen, you understand that life occasionally feels like an emotional rollercoaster for them – even under normal circumstances.

Stronger Minds content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to establish a standard of care with a reader, you should always seek the advice of your mental health professional, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. If you think you may have a medical or mental health emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call emergency services immediately. You should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice relating to treatment or standard of care because of information contained herein. Medical information changes constantly. Therefore the information herein should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.