Hazlet Mom: I Need Guidance On Teens Hanging Out

HAZLET, NJ — Incredibly, for some dinner parties and baby showers are still happening. Weddings are still taking place — and getting broken up by police.

But what about teens hanging out? With kids home from school and climbing up the walls, the rules can be less clear here.

One Hazlet mom of a teenager writes: "So we have basically been abiding by the rules of social distancing and as a parent of a teenager — the most social creatures you can imagine — it’s been quite a challenge. While we are social distancing (stopped friends from coming over to 'hang out') many parents are still allowing teenagers to get together. It seems I’m either being too strict, or many parents are being too lax. Think our community would benefit from some guidance."

Well, Patch asked some nurses at Rutgers what they recommend. It appears if your teen can keep six feet of distance, then they can see their friends.

"Hanging out is not social distancing," said Suzanne Willard, a dean at Rutgers School of Nursing. "If the kids can stay six feet apart, sure, that works. However, that is tough to do. Teens hang out and bring home what they are exposed to."

It's all about enduring this very difficult period of social isolation now, so we can end the pandemic as quickly as possible, she said.

"It is best to stay put now while the epidemic is growing; it will help to shorten the period," said Willard. "By continuing to gather it doesn't slow the process of this pandemic."

"Have them hang out outside, take a hike in the woods — just stay six feet away from friends," recommended fellow nurse Aline Holmes, a clinical associate nursing professor at Rutgters.

Encourage your teens to use ZOOM, FaceTime, WhatsApp, SnapChat and other social media tools to see friends instead, she said.

"This age group is very adept at online connecting and I would encourage that," said Willard. "There are video games that can be played remotely as well."