Helping Your Children Through These Challenging Times

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are you struggling with your teens in quarantine?

I recently did an interview with my colleague Susan Regan MFT about how to support your teens and adolescents during this difficult time of sheltering-in-place. Below you can find the link to the video and more information here: Helping Your Children Through these Challenging Times

We discussed how parents can strengthen communication with their kids during this difficult quarantine time. Parents can help their kids to work through the challenges (being out of school, anxiety, feelings of loss, and isolation) associated with COVID-19.

Some suggestions during this time:

  • Have some sort of a routine and stick to it. Hold a structure but allow for freedom - don’t push too hard.

  • Make space for talking about grief and disappointment over losses -- and validate those feelings.

  • Engage in deep listening

  • Stay connected with family members, classmates, friends, community 
    to feel less isolated.

  • Be sure to keep moving! Stay active, go for a walk! Try a family puzzle, game, dance from Tik Tok, an art project, or a cooking experience.

  • Find some space to have alone time each day. (5 minutes to yourself in the day to reset - especially in times of overwhelm or anxiety.)

  • Make space for silliness and play to shift intense emotions (and show a willingness to try something new).

  • Try to stay in a positive mindset as much as possible to normalize the stress level.

  • Try doing an acitivty together, something that they would like to do together, show interest in their interest, and take the pressure off forced conversation .

    • Focus on the activity, instead of the pressure to talk.

  • Notice suspected substance issues or depression, and consider working with a therapist if needed, as it can allow people to develop the ability to express emotions to someone outside of their home.

For the full video and more information about Susan’s work: Relationship Solutions

Chelsea Owens