BATAVIA, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Being a teenager or the parent of a teenager is never easy, but it's especially difficult in 2021.
Aimee Schlueter is a certified life coach based in Batavia. She helps teenagers and their parents bridge the gulf that comes from growing up and growing more independent.
It's tough for both sides and that's before you add the pressure of social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to the mix as well as a lingering global pandemic. Schlueter recommends that disconnecting can help with both of these things and that parents tell their kids to take a timeout from constant scrolling.
"It's actually a gift that they're giving themselves," she said. "Honestly it brings more joy and happiness to them. It kind of relieves that stress and anxiety."
Schlueter said this period of time is hard on everyone. That stress manifests itself in the booking schedules for mental health professionals.
"A lot of mental health professionals are just booked solid. It's very hard for them to get help," Schlueter said.
She told WBBM that parents need to give their teenage son or daughter the time and the room to make decisions independent of their parents and live with the consequences, which she acknowledged is easier said than done.
Schlueter also recommends actually scheduling a time for teenagers to put their devices down and do something else.
"When they can take some time that's just some quiet time or time to do something creative-take a walk, draw, play an instrument, listen to music...do something they love, try something new."
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