To wonder what the actual point is

[MadameBee]

DSCs come EOW (13 and 15) and literally sit on their phones for the entire weekend.

When not in lockdown we have taken them out bowling etc and DSD1 sat in a huge sulk and didn’t even bother throwing the ball eventually.

This weekend they arrived Friday and have slept in till midday, sat in their rooms on their phones while DH has busied himself elsewhere.

I feel like a spare part, I want to go out but he says what’s the point as they don’t want to do anything. We did go for a walk yesterday but they were silent most of the time and looked thoroughly miserable and didn’t socially distance. So I am left either busting myself around the house (atm I am wfh so I am sick of the place!)

We do a five hour round trip each way for this and I am beginning to question why, in the evenings they watch a film in a different room.

*busying

Because one day, hopefully, they won't be miserable teenagers and they'll come and visit you because they want to.

I just think it’s a beautiful day and it’s pretty unhealthy for them to be having that much (unchecked) screen time.

I think it's just their age. At that age I wouldn't have gone out for random walks either and certainly not with my parents. We definitely didn't ever go out bowling or anything with parents at that age.

I understand that you will want to do things with them because you don't see them much but they are teenagers! Hopefully in a few years they'll be more responsive again.

This sounds totally normal for teenagers tbh - especially during lockdown when they can’t see their friends and have to do all their socialising online.

Just hold tight and make sure the house is always a welcoming space for them and then when they come through on the other side as nice, friendly adults you can have a decent relationship with them.

They’re old enough that you can leave them at home if you want to go out for a walk by yourself. You’re not forced to stay home because they are surely? Especially as he’s home with them.

Constant “Family walks” aren’t fun for 13/15 year olds. They would probably enjoy going for a walk together, without parents, more. They probably miss their friends etc and want normal teenage conversations instead of awkward family banter or censoring inane topics that they know you wouldn’t understand.

I don’t think being on their phones that much during lockdown is an issue.