Social distancing goes against so much of what a teenager is about! For adults, basic human nature is for companionship and connection and if we feel disconnected imagine what our teens are going through!
Adolescence is a time when an individual forms and maintains friendships which are critical in learning social and emotional skills. These friendships are important now and in future relationships whether in their personal or future professional lives. They help teach conflict resolution, compromise, and forgiveness, along with closeness and reliability. Friendships also help figure out how to make people laugh and have fun together!
Encourage your children’s social connections and help them determine how to do so while still maintaining social distancing. Engaging critical thinking skills around data and evidence about the benefits of social distancing during this pandemic will create lifelong skills for your teens.