In “functional” families, parents strive to create an environment in which everyone feels safe, heard, loved and respected. Most children can deal with an occasional angry outburst, as long as there is love and understanding to counter it. Parents are human, flawed and experiencing their own concerns. It’s important to disclaim that the idea of a perfect parent/family is a myth. The list is endless, and it is no surprise that growing up in an open, supportive environment is the exception, rather than the norm. Several factors including the nature of parent’s relationship, personality of family members, events (divorce, death, unemployment), culture and ethnicity (including beliefs about gender roles), influence these dynamics. Families have a unique set of dynamics that affect the way each member thinks and relates to themselves, others and the world around them.

There is a great degree of variability in how interactions and behaviors occur within homes, and the pattern of these interactions form the core of our family dynamic (Harkonen, 2017). Children are forced to experience strained family interactions, day in and day out, without the solace of distraction and distance.

For many, it has opened old wounds and led to persistent conflict at home. Along with this, increased uncertainty, financial stress and burden of care have lowered our window of tolerance. When the lockdown protocols were enforced earlier this year, our freedom, routine and responsibilities within households were disrupted.

Teens growing up too fast