The Quaranteens: How Adolescents Adapted to COVID-19

Minutes after Governor Steve Bullock announced that schools would be able to reopen on May 7, my Facebook began blowing up. There was a lot to consider: from packed kindergarten classrooms to the logistics of hosting a graduation while social distancing.

So how are Montana’s almost adults handling quarantine (I’ve dubbed them the Quaranteens), and would they prefer to go back to school or stay put?

Liz Dutton, who is mom to Stevensville senior Kara, said she feels conflicted about letting Kara return to school to finish her senior year. Two years ago Kara was fighting for her life with an upper respiratory infection. She said she’s been extra vigilant, never wanting to see her daughter struggle to breath again.

”She desperately wants to be with friends, but she’s more compromised because of her illness two years ago,” Dutton says. However, she adds that if Stevensville decides to resume school, she’ll allow Kara to attend. She’s torn about a graduation ceremony, but she still wants to host a party with family members, balloons, and cake.

Towns are finding their own ways to celebrate seniors. In Florence, volunteers hung banners from the light posts, honoring each senior.

Hamilton resident Erica Hurt said her son Jay has been comfortable at home. Although he misses face-to-face interactions with his friends, he communicates with them regularly via technology and seems to be taking the stay at home directive in stride.

“I think this has been easy on him because he isn’t the type of kid that is always begging to go places or hang with friends. He is also always talking to his friends via text and gaming platforms so I’m sure he still feels connected.”

Hurt had some advice for parents who are trying to help their teen adapt:

She said creating activities within your home and making sure your teen is included, like a family game night, cooking dinner together, planting garden starts etc. “it helps build connection and strengthens bonds which is ultimately what we get from socializing.”

She also suggested virtual group hangouts. Teens can use Zoom, Facebook, Skype or any other online meeting platform and set a time to all hang out. Hearing, seeing, and interacting with each other via video is more impactful than simply texting.

Dutton tells parents and friends of high school seniors: “Talk to them and make sure they know you’re proud of them and their accomplishments, and that you’re proud of how they are handling all of this.”