There's plenty written about COVID-19 already, and you might be over it. But after feeling its effects in our home this first week, I need to share this: my teenager's 'me-first' mindset? Still fully activated. Grrrr.
Table of contents
As a parent who's navigated teen years before—and shared a viral blog on homeschooling adjustments—I adore my lanky, joke-cracking teenager. Things usually go smoothly, and the first days of remote learning were fine. We're easing into structure without rigid schedules, as I outlined in that popular post.
The kids can't complain. But here's the rub…
We're following government advice strictly: minimize social contacts. Stricter than many peers' parents. For instance, some of my teen's friends still meet up casually. We don't allow it—not out of virus fear (we've already had fever and cough symptoms, possibly antibodies)—but to do our part in this crisis. Limiting contacts protects everyone, so we've paused all ours.
Teens struggle when friends carry on. This weekend, he got an invite to hang with five pals. Tempting, but a no-go. His teen brain fires arguments: 'No elderly around' or 'Think my friends have it?' Despite our clear explanations of the virus's gravity, his egocentrism overrides logic. No swaying him—he sulks silently on the couch.
Socializing matters at this age; exclusion feels awful when parents seem out of touch with a 'world-threatening' virus (pfft, not for him and friends). No parental argument lands—his 'I' position is locked.
I've suggested Skype, but that's lame to him. Other digital ideas? Dismissed. (No 'just let him go' pleas—we're not vital workers, but this helps flatten the curve in the Netherlands. We're committed.)
P.S. Eager to dive into The Adolescent Brain Inside Out, hoping it unlocks teen insights. It's dense—tiny print, tons of info—but understanding him better? Priceless. Anyone read it?
Stay safe, everyone. xxx
