Question from a 15 year-old: My mother is panicking with this Wuhan virus outbreak. She doesn’t allow me to go out with my friends now and I feel like a prisoner at home. She is always like this. She doesn’t allow me to go to school by myself and drives me everywhere. She checks my phone and won’t even let me pack my own bag for camping trips as she said I would “definitely mess up.” Going berserk soon. Answer: Hey kid, 1. Reassure your mother She is not wrong to be concerned about the Wuhan virus. Take the necessary precautions such as washing your hands. You could invite your friends over and persuade your mother to let you go to less congested areas. 2. I empathise that your mother is panicky. What you can do: – always reassure her with actions. Show how responsible you are. When you are out, take photos and send her to show her where you are, update her constantly. When you are with your mother (for instance during dinner), avoid using your phone. Your mum is also yearning for some love from you and these actions will ease her anxieties too and help you get more freedom in the long run. To the mother, if you are reading this: 1. I totally understand why you are panicking about the Wuhan virus. Every mother is concerned about her child’s welfare. 2. It is okay to love and care for your son. You are a darling to want to fetch your son everywhere. It is understandable you want to check on his phone usage because they are at an impressionable age. That said, your job is not just to love and care for your son. Your job is not just to tend to his every need but more importantly, make sure he can be self-sufficient. You can’t be packing his bag when he is in NS. You can’t be packing his luggage when he is on his honeymoon trip. (If you are thinking of going along with him, please do not.) When he outlives you, do you want him to be able to fend for himself or be helpless? It’s difficult to let go and you mean well. You are afraid you would be deemed “useless” if he doesn’t need you anymore. Remember: you are his mum, not his helper. It’s not easy but for the good of your relation, you must let go too. #thurswithwei

Question from a 15 year-old:

My mother is panicking with this Wuhan virus outbreak. She doesn’t allow me to go out with my friends now and I feel like a prisoner at home.

She is always like this. She doesn’t allow me to go to school by myself and drives me everywhere. She checks my phone and won’t even let me pack my own bag for camping trips as she said I would “definitely mess up.” Going berserk soon.

Answer:

Hey kid,

1. Reassure your mother
She is not wrong to be concerned about the Wuhan virus. Take the necessary precautions such as washing your hands. You could invite your friends over and persuade your mother to let you go to less congested areas.

2. I empathise that your mother is panicky.

What you can do:
– always reassure her with actions. Show how responsible you are.
When you are out, take photos and send her to show her where you are, update her constantly. When you are with your mother (for instance during dinner), avoid using your phone. Your mum is also yearning for some love from you and these actions will ease her anxieties too and help you get more freedom in the long run.

To the mother, if you are reading this:
1. I totally understand why you are panicking about the Wuhan virus. Every mother is concerned about her child’s welfare.
2. It is okay to love and care for your son. You are a darling to want to fetch your son everywhere. It is understandable you want to check on his phone usage because they are at an impressionable age.

That said, your job is not just to love and care for your son. Your job is not just to tend to his every need but more importantly, make sure he can be self-sufficient.

You can’t be packing his bag when he is in NS.

You can’t be packing his luggage when he is on his honeymoon trip. (If you are thinking of going along with him, please do not.)

When he outlives you, do you want him to be able to fend for himself or be helpless?

It’s difficult to let go and you mean well. You are afraid you would be deemed “useless” if he doesn’t need you anymore.

Remember: you are his mum, not his helper.

It’s not easy but for the good of your relation, you must let go too. #thurswithwei from Study Room https://ift.tt/313EfEy