School is just around the corner, and some kids are returning with social distancing while others are not.
Whatever choice is best for you and your family, the fact of the matter is that things are looking a lot different than they did last year.
Teenagers are able to pick up on the cares and anxieties of the world around them but without the years of learned coping behaviors of an adult.
As a parent, how can you help your child cope with the transition?
Make it fun.
If your teen has something to look forward to on that first day, it may make the idea of going to school seem like it’s not such a big deal. Do they have a best friend that they can get ready with and ride together? Or is there a special breakfast spot before getting dropped off?
Ask for their opinion.
As a parent of a teenager, your child is to the point where they are starting to figure things out for themselves. What would make the day easier, or more fun for them? Do they struggle with a certain subject? Making friends? Encourage them to come up with a strategy that you can help with!
Give them confidence.
Sometimes a new haircut or outfit is all you need to stand tall and make a new friend. It may be a small thing, but it can make all the difference!
Support them.
It may take some time for your teen to adjust, but trust that they are learning how to cope in their own way. Let them know that you are there to lend an ear, but be willing to give them some time and space to figure it all out. We’ve even seen parents have a designated notebook for things that their child couldn’t say out loud, and the parents wrote letters back and forth.
Going back to school can be tough for anyone, but here at Spectrum, we have a few tools that could help.
We have free, online Community of Caring events designed just for teens; and if your child is ever in crisis beyond what you can handle, Spectrum CARES can help.
