But the news isnt all good. Many parents are frightened. Their sons, often in their late teens, belligerent and angry at the restrictions, chafing to get out and meet with mates in secret.

There are many stories of fights over schoolwork and sullen and withdrawn sons not coming out of their rooms. Where relationships weren't great in pre-coronavirus times, this is a real crisis.

But if these problems are worked through, this might be a time when a lot of what we value most comes to the fore, and our kids remember the year of the virus as a special time, a reset, a reclaiming of what family is supposed to feel like.

Ahead, the parenting methods proving successful in lockdown.

Teamwork. Parents who are doing well have managed to create a family vibe similar to that of a team. They are not militantly supervising online schoolwork, at least, not to the point of conflict, but allocating at most a couple of hours for it in the flow of other things that are both fruitful and enjoyable.

Loading

Get moving. Exercise and movement are natural needs of teenagers. In the past, many parents thought that energy in boys was naughtiness, but thankfully that has mostly changed. Morning exercise, followed by the completion of any mandatory school work first, are key to setting up a productive day ahead.

Routine. The other need boys have, according to neuroscience, is lots of structure. Successful families found that a routine made for a happy and balanced day. They differed on sleeping in or everyone waking on time, but all found their own sequence to the day.

Try new things. Many families are getting their kids to make meals in equal share with the adults. A mum on the page allocated one part of the meal to her three sons in rotation - one the protein, one the veggies, one the dessert. She is teaching them how to work from recipes, while staying nearby in a friendly supervisory way so it doesn't feel like they are being abandoned, and also to prevent disasters. Her boys were rather proud of themselves, and as a result, want to try new dishes. Several parents also found that their sons, who had previously never read much a trend that has alarmed educators for several decades had suddenly discovered the joy of books.

More screen time. Online gaming with friends is the main social outlet for boys in isolation, along with other social media, so most parents are allowing more time now than they would have in the past to ensure their sons feel connected with their peers.

Here is the original post:
How not to fight with your teenage son - Sydney Morning Herald