Tips and Tricks to Make Quarantine Easier for Your Teen

Pandemic or not, it is possible for both teenagers and adults to have long-distance love relationships. It’s recommended that, as a parent, you discuss the situation with your teen to find solutions and give advice. The absence of the other person is often the most difficult thing to deal with.

In other cases, your teen may be missing the affection and attentiveness that only a significant other can give. Meaningful clothing or objects belonging to your teen’s significant other (if he or she already has them at home) can help soothe the emptiness left by the other’s absence.

For others, these objects are simply a reminder of the absence of their loved one. It may be helpful to suggest that your teen put these items away until they feel the need to see them again.

This period of distancing is not all bad

It is a 100% reliable method of protection against sexually transmitted infections if it is followed properly (this is not the time to exchange fluids, as the Premier of Quebec said!).

Insist that your daughter continue to take birth control pills (if she was already taking them) throughout the lockdown. It will be important for your teen to have condoms in their possession on the day the lockdown is over, if the relationship has reached that point.

As with any time of year, we suggest caution when sharing revealing photos and videos… Long before the pandemic, we saw many young people being bullied after sharing photos, which were then used by people with bad intentions.

Does your teen want to communicate with their significant other?

The easiest way is through video chat. It’s a meaningful means of communication where the non-verbal (facial expressions, gestures) is clearly visible, which reinforces the feeling of closeness.

You can also talk to your teen about writing emails, virtual love letters, or even writing real letters on paper… Writing your feelings often feels good.

A creative tip would be to encourage your teen to keep a diary of this unique event (note activities done over the days, describe thoughts and feelings, explain positive or difficult events).

It will certainly be very interesting to look back on in a few years. Your teenager may be surprised to see, in retrospect, how bold they were.

About this page