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Teenagers

Will no-one think of those of us who will be self isolating with teenagers?! ;-)

63 replies

CornflakesandPartbakes · 17/03/2020 06:25

So, parents of teenagers (normal ones, not the ‘we’re best friends’ ones) what on earth will you be doing in your house to keep yourself sane once we’re all self isolating?

Unfettered access to electronics/phones is not an option (one teen has mental health issues and their phone is a trigger point).

I’m planning on getting them to cook some of our meals.
We’ll find some box sets to binge watch
Play some cards

So that’s about 3 days sorted...

Please give me some ideas!

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bigchris · 17/03/2020 06:27

I'll be honest teenagers are the best group to self isolate

My ds doesn't go out , they must chat with friends online

He's been isolating for 2 years (16)

13 year old dd different though , she sees her friends, her sports clubs have been cancelled , it is awful

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bigchris · 17/03/2020 06:28

Toddlers would be worse

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bigchris · 17/03/2020 06:28

Just not must

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ExpletiveDelighted · 17/03/2020 06:32

Mine do loads of sports and don't talk much online with anyone, this is going to be disastrous for them.

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Seventyone72seventy3 · 17/03/2020 06:33

We have been in lockdown for weeks . My normally grumpy teenager is actually a lot calmer and chatty! He said it's because he hates school. In fact all my kids are so much happier not being at school and it hasn't worn off yet!

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OtherVoicesOtherRooms · 17/03/2020 06:36

normal ones, not the ‘we’re best friends’ ones

Have you no relationship with them?! Grin

Agree that older teenagers love their own company! Younger teenagers not so much!

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OtherVoicesOtherRooms · 17/03/2020 06:38

Toddlers would be worse
Yes to this!Shock

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boredboredboredboredbored · 17/03/2020 06:39

My two are 16 & 15. Kept them at home yesterday as Ds has mild symptoms (will be keeping them off for two weeks now). Dd is due to start GCSEs soon so will be studying. Ds will be on his computer all day. Seeing as neither get up much before midday that's half the day sorted!!!

May get them out for a walk tomorrow...to their horror!!

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WisestIsShe · 17/03/2020 06:40

I've told mine that if the devil's close I'll be running a housekeeping course. Cooking, proper cleaning, property ironing/laundry etc. They were not amused but I think it'll be good for us all.

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WisestIsShe · 17/03/2020 06:40

*schools! Shock

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WisestIsShe · 17/03/2020 06:41

Oh honestly. Why isn't there an edit button. Proper ironing*

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Chocolatecake12 · 17/03/2020 06:45

Everyone says toddlers round be worse - that’s because they don’t have teenagers!
There are so many activities you can entertain toddlers with. Teenagers not so many, and unless you want them on their consoles all day long then you are battling against them to get them to do anything.
I’m the same as op. Planning on teaching them to cook proper meals, not just an omelette. Getting the old board games out should hopefully not lead to fights! They can help in the garden too and help me have a good sort out of the house. I’m hoping that school will set some work to keep their mind occupied.
It’s a worry.

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boredboredboredboredbored · 17/03/2020 06:45

wises I'm liking your style. Thinking about it Ds bedroom is a shit tip, I'm handing him a wad of bin bags today and he can sort it!

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Beachcomber · 17/03/2020 06:46

Two teenage girls here. We are in France so in semi lockdown already.

We knew it was coming so we have bought them a massive 1000 piece puzzle, some quiz type games that would encourage looking interesting things up on the internet and some books. We also bought paint to do some decorating in the house and ingredients to make pasta, bread, cakes so that they can bake.

They will also have school work to do thankfully as our schools are closed.

Teen 1 was being a nightmare yesterday as a result of stressing about important exams and not being able to see friends / her boyfriend. We made them watch the presidential address last night so that they properly understand that they have a responsibility towards their country to get the jeff on with it without being spoilt brats....

Good luck everyone!

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brittanyfairies · 17/03/2020 06:52

I'm in France too, my teens seem to understand and accept the situation. They chat online to friends and of course teachers are sending work.

However we're fortunate and our house is pretty isolated in the country with a large garden so DS2 is regularly going outside to play with his basketball. It might be a different story if we lived in an apartment in a town

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CornflakesandPartbakes · 17/03/2020 07:00

Chocolatecake12 - yes!! Actually toddlers would be hell too but generally their meltdowns are short and sweet and more manageable. Less character assassination and usually more reasonable.

Right, I’m upping my game to ironing, cleaning and washing teaching, not just cooking, good idea!

We will hopefully be able to get outside and walk (or is that not allowed?).

I’m going to resurrect the badminton net in the back garden.

Dd desperately needs to do a proper sort out in her bedroom. Baby steps though, any suggestion will cause a meltdown, maybe one drawer/shelf per day. We’re going to have a while I fear. Actually ds does too. He hides everything under his bed though so it’s less obvious Grin

Any other ideas gratefully received.

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CornflakesandPartbakes · 17/03/2020 07:01

Oh one more thing, I’m going to teach them how to sell stuff on eBay.

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Weenurse · 17/03/2020 07:08

Depending on the DC, some self directed learning and journaling each day.
Teaching to knit or sew using YouTube.
How to mend, hem and patch.
Cook, clean and sort.
My spare room is a tip, they can start there.

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sandwiches77 · 17/03/2020 08:39

DD 17 has mental health issues and is prone to staying inside, the one or two social groups she did attend have been closed. I am concerned about her, she has already dropped out of college, this could be the final straw for her, she is "supposed" to be doing online A levels.......

Have already suggested she clean her bedroom, that was met with an eye roll. Todays activity is walk to the post box and post Mothers day cards.

Any suggestions gratefully received

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YesSheCan · 17/03/2020 10:32

I'm self-isolating, due to having mild fever, with DD13 who now can't go to school. We've had major issues with her school refusal, anxiety, low mood and problem excessive internet use as a coping mechanism which only actually makes her worse...I'd been working so hard to be firm and consistent in getting her back to school and attending regularly. Since we started self-isolation, she's taken it as a free pass to lie on her bed on internet forums all day. I try to limit her access by changing the router password. She is then appalling, standing outside my bedroom door constantly demanding I turn it back on and I am making her anxiety worse and giving her panic attacks. She is meant to be getting herself bits to eat and doing the washing up as I am meant to stay at least 2m away from her and try not to spend too long in the kitchen contaminating it - I have to wipe the whole lot down every time I'm in there. She's so lazy she didn't even get herself a drink or anything to eat until 2pm yesterday. Dealing with 'normal' teenagers on self-isolation is hard enough, I imagine, but teenagers with mental health issues and behavioural problems - nightmare

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YesSheCan · 17/03/2020 10:33

Sorry that should be *telling me I am making her anxiety worse and giving her panic attacks. I do know this is bollocks and it's not my fault

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turkeyontheplate · 17/03/2020 10:40

Self-isolating with 15 and 17yo boys here. They're being pretty pleasant and cooperative so far, but I expect things will deteriorate once everyone gets bored and the food becomes more monotonous! Thank heavens for Netflix Grin

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Greendayz · 17/03/2020 10:50

I'm at home with DH, DD (16) and DS (20) They were both distraught about it all yesterday. But today is a bit better. DD is currently playing the Pogues and dancing, as it's st Patrick's Day. DS says he will fix the garden fence if we pay him and thinks he can order the parts he needs online, so that seems a good constructive activity without any actual exposure to anyone. I'll have to check whether DD is doing and college work later (lower sixth). She may struggle to keep the motivation up.

I agree it depends a lot what kind of teenagers you have. DSD (currently at uni) would be entirely happy living in her room for a fortnight and interacting solely online. DD is a more face to face social animal so is going to find it harder. I don't think I'm going to police her too hard though. As long as she's doing something that makes her happy, that'll do

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Sgtmajormummy · 17/03/2020 11:17

My teen has lots of work from school. She spends at least 3 hours a day on that, plus video lessons every 2/3 days for now.
She’s done extra art work with the luxury of time on her hands. Piano she’s self-guiding, clarinet less so.
Aerobics videos (I join in!), relevant culture and music videos on YouTube.
She helps me with chores and preparing for our house move in July. Up and down to the garage, bins, recycling (we live in a closed compound).
Cooks sometimes.
Spends 2 or 3 hours on her tablet talking to friends etc. Reads, writes, keeps a diary. Does hair, makeup, enjoys experimenting with clothes (and not wearing school uniform!).
Every night is film night. Classics like Metropolis are free on Amazon.
Later bedtime.

It’s not ideal, she misses school and the structure it brings. But she’s not running wild at home or reverting to an illiterate state!

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notthemum · 17/03/2020 11:30

@CornflakesandPartbakes. I can supply all sorts of recipes. I need someone to teach me how to sell on ebay.
Buying I can manage.
Selling 🤔🙄🤯🤬 🍷

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