When a Parent Works on Location: Keeping Your Teen on Track

When a parent works on location for weeks or months, the teens who do best usually have three things: a written weekly routine that does not depend on the traveling parent, one predictable contact time with that parent, and at least one steady adult at home or by video who checks in on school and follow-through. The goal is not to replace the parent who is away. It is to make sure the week still has a shape when the person who usually holds it together is on another continent or working overnight.

Why long locations are hard on teens

Entertainment jobs are project based, with assignments that often run from days to months and hours that can include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actors). Crews, writers, musicians and executives live the same pattern. For a teenager at home, the effect is often less about missing the parent and more about losing the structure the parent provided: the reminder about the test, the drive to practice, the person who notices that bedtime has drifted to 2 AM.

Before the parent leaves

1. Write the week down together. School, activities, homework blocks, sleep and meals on one shared calendar the teen helped build.
2. Agree on one fixed call time. Short and reliable beats long and unpredictable. Account for time zones and the shooting schedule, and have a backup slot.
3. Name the at home adult. The other parent, a relative or a trusted caregiver, with clear authority on rides, rules and school contact.
4. Tell the school. Give teachers or the counselor a heads up and a current contact. If the teen will travel with the parent for part of the time, ask about options such as independent study, which the California Department of Education describes as voluntary and arranged through a written agreement (CDE Independent Study Quick Guide).
5. Decide the non-negotiables. Two or three rules that do not change while the parent is away, usually sleep, school attendance and check-ins.

While the parent is away

• Protect sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours for teens 13 to 18, and most high school students fall short on school nights (CDC, Sleep in Middle and High School Students). Late night calls across time zones can quietly eat into it.
• Ask about the plan, not just the feelings. “What is due this week and what is your plan for it?” gives a teen something concrete to answer.
• Look at the school portal together, on the call, once a week, rather than checking alone and reacting by text.
• Keep promises small. Missed calls hurt more than short ones. Promise what the shooting schedule allows.
• Watch for drift: skipped classes, lost interest in friends or activities, days that start in the afternoon. Address it early and calmly.

When the parent comes home

Homecoming is its own transition. A parent who has been running a set for three months can come home and try to run the house the same way, or swing the other direction and drop every rule. Ease back in: keep the routine the teen ran while you were away, notice what went well, and change one thing at a time.

When to add outside support

If the routine keeps collapsing, school is slipping or the teen is simply alone too much, an outside adult can help. A Blackburn mentor meets with the teen at the same time every week by video, wherever the family is, helps them plan the week and follow through, and checks in by text between sessions. With the family’s written consent, parents can receive updates on engagement level, which can be reassuring from far away. Mentoring is not therapy; if you are worried about your teen’s mental health, contact a licensed professional, and in a crisis call or text 988. Read more about mentoring for teens in entertainment industry families.

Related

• Mentoring for entertainment industry families
• Teens and young adults in entertainment industry families
• Mentoring for young performers
• Mentoring for high school students
• Time management coaching for students

Common questions

How often should a traveling parent call a teenager?

There is no single right number. Many families do best with one short call at a fixed time, on a schedule the shooting days actually allow, plus a backup slot.

Should my teen travel with me on location?

It depends on the length of the job and your teen’s school. Ask the school early about absence and independent study options before deciding.

How much sleep does a teenager need?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours for teens 13 to 18, as summarized by the CDC.

What if school starts slipping while I am away?

Look at the school portal together, make a plan for the next week with your teen, and tell teachers early. If it keeps slipping, consider an outside adult such as a mentor to help with weekly follow-through.

Can a mentor work with my teen if we are in different cities?

Yes. Sessions are by video anywhere in the United States, scheduled in your teen’s local time, with text check-ins between sessions.

Get started

Heading out on a long job and want your teen supported? Call (888) 305-5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free 20 minute intro call.