30/03/2020
Dear Parents,
Lately, parents have been telling me that kids and teens (young people) have been struggling more and that their concerning/maladaptive behaviours have been escalating.
Given the global challenges that we are All facing right now, this is understandable. Young people may likely be struggling with strong feelings and behavioural responses to stressors. Naturally, I am also hearing from teens that parents are responding to teens’ concerning behaviours by taking their phones away. I understand this too; taking a young persons’ phone away, is often an effective way to help them learn.
This said, in these hard times, it is natural to want to connect with our peers and loved ones more; social connection is not only a basic need, it is arguably the most effective way to ground and calm our nerves during hard times. Ironically, however, to care for one another, we are being called to physically distance ourselves as much as possible.
Parents, I am asking you to consider alternative consequences to taking your young peoples’ phones away right now. Like a lot of us adults, in this time of stress and “social isolation” our needs to chat on the phone have increased.
Taking young peoples’ phones away right now, might actually cause them more stress and subsequently increase their concerning/maladaptive coping behaviours. Furthermore, it is limiting their access to emergency services such as crisis line text and phone services.
Of course, there are ways to make phone use healthier; such as, turning off blue lights off, limiting or eliminating access to social media, and limiting overall screen time.
If you are wanting support in finding alternative consequences to young peoples’ concerning behaviours, or any matters at this time, please feel free to contact me directly.
Comforting, safe wishes,
~ Jenny
[email protected]
778-744-3021
