Hearing all sorts of reports of teen gatherings in and around village centers.
I’ve got a teen daughter. I get it. The isolation is brutal. And, it’s only going to get worse.
But, teens must practice social distancing. They probably won’t get sick, though they might. But, they are super efficient vectors to the rest of us who are at risk.
Parents must enforce good teen behavior.
Who’s looking forward to the first social media post sending thoughts and prayers to the family of a Newton COVID-19 victim?
This is where screens become helpful! Let and encourage your kids to hand out with their friends online. There are lots of ways that groups can visit together – they probably know them all.
While we get lots of messages about the evils of screen time, this situation shows us its benefits. Physical distance doesn’t have to mean social distance these days.
A gentle reminder to two teens to stand back while in line at Walgreen’s was met with a respectful and appropriate response. We can also help the parents when their teens are out in the community. It takes a village.
I agree with both Jane and Meredith.
I’ve been thinking – go ahead and groan, my family does – that we have been lucky to be confined in the age of being social on-line, videoconferencing, remote learning, remote working and having beautiful weather for March – albeit with a little snow this morning.
An anecdote about the above –
My daughter in CT already works remotely for ACS national in ATL. The offices were all closed about 3 weeks ago so thankfully her work load isn’t as heavy as usual.
She is home with her three teen boys. The oldest, sensible and studious at 18, is leaving for college in August. He and his long term girlfriend are going to different colleges, both in NY but far from each other. They decided on their own to stop seeing each other during this time and called it time to prepare to be apart in the fall. They can keep in touch on social platforms. I’m sure he’s playing, along with his friends, whatever video game is most popular right now.
The middle one, 15, has ADHD and is bipolar so he has poor impulse control even though he is mostly responsible. He’s the one outside skateboarding with his friend up the street with my daughter occasionally yelling stay 6’ apart.
The youngest, 13, is very much like his oldest brother although he loves learning so much he’s looking forward to school starting on-line on Wednesday.
Three different scenarios but all benefiting from technological advances and good weather.
My daughter has been annoyed because she’s seeing social posts from some friends who are getting together. This makes us the “bad guys” in this and doesn’t really help. Then there is the problem of motivation. Without the school stepping in, and most of their life on hold, motivating teens is nearly impossible. I’m told that most of them are basically spending their days lying in bed and talking on social media. Books? learning? education? Good luck getting them to do anything.
@Chuck – it’s normal for kids to react that way to an unexpected break in school. And a few weeks of R&R won’t hurt. After all, it’s not like they’re falling behind all the other kids in this country (or most of the world).
Did you hear the revolt in my house this morning? I instituted a schedule for my two teenagers to including reading time, walking outside time, watching Spanish language TV together, practice their music.
Meanwhile I am nervous about keeping my job and my husband keeping his. I don’t want to unload it on my kids but we are lucky to have jobs, and we want to continue to be employed during this TWO month stay at home.
In the evenings, we will be having a movie night or game night.
It doesn’t help that there are some families encouraging outside social events with large groups of teenagers. I don’t know how to stop it, but this is DAY 5 at home for my family.
Who among Newton’s teens will step forward and be the Greta Thunberg or David Hogg of #socialdistancing? Make it a thing. Which it is.
@Bruce. You have the game point on this post.
It’s not just kids. I’ve been wondering what the new polite custom might be to request that people on an aqueduct trail or sidewalk move to one side so that I could pass safely — for them and for me — on the other side. “Excuse me, can I get by?” sounds silly when there’s 2 feet or 4 feet of clearance already. “Get away from me” doesn’t seem suitable. 😉 Any thoughts?
Pull as far to the side as you can and turn your back.
Unfortunately, there’s no other option.
Start blaring the Police “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”
… or the Knack’s “My Corona”