February and Valentine’s Day usually represent a time of love and everything associated with love. Romance, flowers, jewelry, fine food, and chocolates – these are all good!
For your teen, however, this could be a time of feeling isolated, unloved, alone, and just not wanted. Think about it. Your spouse and you are planning something romantic, and you are even expecting this.
However, if your teen is not in a relationship and they are already feeling isolated, February 14th could be a day of even more loneliness. Should you cancel your plans with your spouse? Probably not, but you definitely need to address this with your teen.
Valentine’s Day Can Bring the Family Together
Dinner during the first week of February could present a great opportunity for the family to talk about Valentine’s Day. The feelings, the commercialism, the atmosphere at school, the upcoming school dance, etc. Your teen is reminded every day by commercials on TV, radio, and the internet that February and Valentine’s Day represents romance.
Find out how they feel about this. Dig into good, positive questions with empathy and no judgement. With this approach, you may learn that absolutely nothing is wrong–or perhaps something is–and you just jumped in front of the line for caring in the eyes of your teen.
Steps to Take With Your Teen
Remember that you can take some really forward steps with your teen by stimulating positive conversations about school, friends, classes, teachers, family and so much more.
No cell phones allowed. Just great quality conversations in a safe space.
Even just around the block is good. We all talk more when walking.
Take out those earbuds, turn off the radio, and just ask great questions.
Give your teen the texting line so they can reach out to a trained professional 24/7 in all 50 states, anytime, to just talk.
This may occur after school, during lunch, or late at night.
Talk to a professional should you need to for advice and expertise with your teen. You can use our partnership with BetterHelp for live zoom meetings at www.abrighterday.info.

Don't be passive with your teen.
Their life depends on it.
For any questions, please call 510-206-1103
or email me at elliot@abrighterday.info.
Elliot Kallen,
President