• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • Sailing in Hong Kong - inclusive sailing courses by charity SailabilityMaking sailing accessible to everyone
        • We chat with two GSIS families
        • 6 super reasons to visit sky100
        • A New Home in The New Territories
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Reclusive Means Exhibition at Pearl Lam Galleries Hong KongTop 35 Best Things To Do In Hong Kong This Weekend
        • 6 super reasons to visit sky100
        • Best playgrounds & parks for the kids
        • What to watch this month – Netflix & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
        • We chat with two GSIS families
        • A boarding school with wildlife on the doorstep!
        • Children's teeth and bracesKids and braces – all you need to know
        • Child reading for web article on Books and Brains - helping children with reading and phonicsHelp for children struggling with reading
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • A New Home in The New Territories
        • Transforming an old Hong Kong junk
        • Image of Altfield home furnishings showroomWhere to get designer home furnishings
        • Hong Kong People: Meet Laura Pezza
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • Mount KinabuluClimbing Mount Kinabalu in Sabah
        • Son Doong CaveJourney into the world’s largest cave
        • Famous movie locations in Asia - Hong Kong - Gage Street8 Famous Movie Locations in Asia
        • Gaining access to an EU passport
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • 6 super reasons to visit sky100
        • Popcorn Shrimp with Spicy Honey Mayo
        • Indulgent chocolate cake - recipeRecipe: Indulgent Chocolate Cake
        • Spicy Asian Coleslaw - recipeRecipe: Spicy Asian Coleslaw
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • where to get botox in hong kongBotox in Hong Kong – All you need to know
        • Where to buy (and sell!) watches
        • Face masks, spa products, body scrubsWe test body scrubs, creams, masks & more!
        • Hong Kong Spas - Spa at Four Seasons Hong Kong - facial and body treatmentTried and Tested: 2 Luxury Spa Treatments
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • family dental clinics and dentists in Hong KongFamily Dental Clinics and Dentists in HK
        • Children's teeth and bracesKids and braces – all you need to know
        • Safe & healthy eating during pregnancy
        • Couples therapy for divorce and separation, MindNLife Hong KongDivorce: how to break up with dignity
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • Magazine
    • Advertise With Us
    • Close

Teens at home: A survival guide!

24 February, 2022 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/teens-at-home-a-survival-guide-coronavirus-pandemic-and-school-closures/

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent school closures has many teens spending a lot more time at home with family than they might otherwise do when busy with school, sport and socialising. ODETTE UMALI from Gordon Parenting provides four tips on how to thrive in this new normal.

#1 It starts with you, the parent

When it comes to parents, self-care is key to a successful family life. It’s only through achieving a healthy, balanced lifestyle that you’ll be able to stay focused and calm at home. You become a good role model to your children, which is essential in reinforcing desirable values.

To be an effective parent to your teenagers, it’s necessary to be both attentive and proactive. Because of the neurological re-wiring of the brain during adolescence, parents must not forget teens can be largely emotional rather than logical. For anyone going through this, it’s an unpleasant – even frightening – experience. The teenage years bring with them a surge of hormones, identity crises and social pressures, all of which make it a very confusing time for your child – and all the more reason for parents to remain calm, composed and understanding in every situation.

Teens at home and school closures - tips for parents from Gordon Parenting

#2 Connect, connect, connect

With all the suggested strategies and steps in resolving parent-teenager conflicts, it’s important to note that you must first establish a warm and respectful connection with your child. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your time.

Know the love language of your child – is it words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, service or gifts? Leave notes on their pillows; kiss them goodnight; buy their favourite snacks. Be present in your conversations. Practice active listening. Your children need to feel respected and accepted. With connection you earn the ability to influence your teenager.

#3 Be mindful

Take charge to actively manage household relationships. Assess the triggers of conflicts before they even start and plan your schedules to reduce unnecessary stress. When school is discontinued, it needs to be substituted with routines and activities that involve physical activity and socialisation. Try cooking together, family workouts and sports, watch teen movies or TV series, do some home re-arrangement, or let them simply hang out with friends.

#4 Don’t sweat the petty stuff

When it comes to teens, you need to choose your battles. Ask yourself: “Is this worth damaging our relationship? Is this a rational reaction to what’s been done? Is there a better way I can approach this?” However, it’s as important to assume authority when it comes to truly deserving issues like drugs, drinking and dating.

Gordon Parenting hosts Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) courses in Hong Kong.
gordonparenting.com

Subscribe to Expat Living magazine now so you never miss an issue!

Categories: Health & Wellness Kids Tags: Gordon Parenting Parenting Teen Teenager Teens

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our bimonthly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

You May Also Like

A boarding school with wildlife on the doorstep!

A Day in the Life of a Boarder at MCM

Pregancy in Hong Kong - maternity care at Matilda International Hospital

Pregnant in HK? What you need to know

Primary Sidebar

  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.