Let’s think about it for a moment, your son or daughter is about to take their exams.

Like every caring parent, you naturally want to help them to succeed.

But how best can we do this?

In order for us to answer this question effectively, we need to put ourselves in touch with what it's really like sitting exams, because, as we all know only too well, it isn’t easy supporting an adolescent through this crucial stage in their lives.

The noise of slamming doors, angry shouting exchanges and accusations followed by a brooding, simmering silence, really can be a thing of the past!

So, here’s a few tips to begin with:

Do:

§       Keep exams in perspective - whatever the results, in isolation, they don't determine your child’s future happiness and prosperity.
§       Talk with your child if he or she seems worried. Some anxiety is normal, after all exams scare all of us, so seeking to understand and support the root causes of their anxieties is much more helpful than just saying, "don't worry".

§           Try to avoid subjective and emotive labels like "lazy", "unmotivated" and "immature" if you feel that your child is not focused on their exam preparation – this only adds to their anxiety and frustration and potentially inhibits change!

§           Realistically face up to the possibility that your teenager may not be best suited to the academic or career paths that you and everyone else has dreamed of for them – they may have other more worthy and satisfying ambitions!

§           Reflect and re-assess – maybe, just maybe, they have been working quite hard, have done enough and you now need to give them some space and encouragement.

§           Take a genuine, active and uncritical interest in their exam preparation.

Don't:

§       Add to the sources of stress. Be aware of the potential anxiety that is being created at school.

§           Put additional pressure on them to achieve certain grades. If the appropriate preparation and planning are adhered to, the performance in the exam will take care of itself.

§           Compare them with more successful brothers or sisters, friends children, relatives, fellow students, or, most importantly of all, with yourself at their age!

§           Dictate their work schedule and criticise their time off.

§           Attempt to bribe or scare them into working “harder”.

So why not come along to one of our workshops especially designed for parents

(see events page) and learn how to support a student through this particularly challenging & scary time in their life?

You may even reduce the number of those demoralizing confrontational exchanges that seem very fashionable around this time!