Connecting with your Adolescent during COVID
By: Catherine Herling
As quarantine reaches its seventh month with no return to normalcy in sight, many families are wondering how they’re going to make it through this time with the same love and affection that they began with before the stay-at-home order was placed. If you’re the caregiver for adolescents (ages 10-19), you’re also trying to balance connectedness and independence within the household. Much like us, kids are grieving the loss of their pre-quarantine life and are trying to find their new normal. While each child’s reaction to quarantine is unique, promoting stability and safe connectedness will help your household endure this difficult period. Helping your adolescent find their way through this period of time can be challenging but worthwhile.
Here are a few ways to connect with your adolescent during COVID:
Get to “re know” each other:
Try playing “this or that” or ice breakers, you can learn a lot about your kids and find some ideas of activities to do together.
Plan “family time”:
This can look different for each family, but the important thing is that the activity is something that everybody can enjoy and commit to. Examples include board games, crafting, and movie nights. If you have multiple children, let them take turns choosing the activity!
Providing space to talk about their experience:
Children may remain quiet about their emotional experiences of quarantine because they don’t want to burden you with their struggles. Start the conversation by normalizing the mix of emotions they may be feeling, and how it’s been a difficult time for you as well. While your children may not be ready to talk the first time you do this, continually giving them the space to do so will let them know that it’s safe to do so with you.
Philadelphia therapist
Catherine Herling is a master's level marriage and family therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She serves clients online through our simple to use HIPAA compliant platform and in person at our comfortable Main Line, PA office. Catherine offers individual and couples therapy. She loves to support adolescents and their families, especially when a family member has been diagnosed with a long-term condition, such as cancer, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or PTSD. To schedule an appointment click here.