Over the past few months, COVID-19 lockdowns have been lifted, people have been getting their vaccines, and places have started to open again. However, for the past year and a half, most teens have been isolated and confined to their homes, lacking interaction from the outside world. Now that things are opening up again, your teen may need help readjusting back into society and their normal routine. This blog discusses how to help your teen readjust back into their routine, but if you need extra help, our team of therapists is here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Don’t push your teen to get back out there.
Some teens are now accustomed to isolating themselves at home, so it may be hard for them to go back out into the world again after isolating themselves for so long. Give your teen time to readjust and don’t push too many things at once. If your teen doesn’t seem to want to go out, help them by going on short trips. Start by taking your teen on a walk outside or take a trip to the beach. Once they are more comfortable with outdoor activities, try a trip to the grocery store or a restaurant. Check-in with your teen about their comfort levels and make sure they know you are there for support.
Pay attention to your child’s behaviors.
While some teens may have a hard time going outside, your teen could be itching to get outside and socialize! It’s good for teens to want to get back out there and see their friends. However, some teens will take this opportunity to go out and do crazy, stupid things because they have been locked up in their house for the past year. Because of this, you want to make sure you are watching over your teen and monitoring their activity. If you see any unusual changes in your kid’s behavior, ask them about it. Be on the lookout for red flags of them participating in potentially harmful activities.
Be there for support.
Throughout the pandemic, teens have lost a lot: their freedom, social time, sports events, and more. Some of your teen’s friendships may have dwindled or completely disappeared over this pandemic. They might feel left out when they see their peers going out and having fun while not doing the same. If this is the case, try spending more time with your teen. Even if they don’t tell you, they may need that parental bond now more than ever.
Listen to your teen.
This new adjustment will be hard for many teens. Mental health issues in teens (and people in general) have spiked dramatically over the past year. Just because lockdowns have ended doesn’t mean that these mental health issues are just going to disappear, so it’s important to listen to your teen and be there to support them. Educate your teen and family on mental health and let them know that it is ok to ask for help.
We’re Here To Help!
If you or your child are having trouble readjusting into routines, we are here for you! We can help you and your child develop the skills necessary to flourish and grow. Contact us today to learn more! Request an appointment online or call our office today at (858) 776-8804.
