What happens when exams are over and teens are able to let off steam this summer, how should parents support their adolescents mental health in the weeks before new term this September? I’ll be interviewing experts in teen mental health on this subject this week, what do you need to know? Teens will all experience a different post-exam reaction: some will find ways to release stress, some may withdraw, some may need support ahead of results, new boundaries may need to be set. What do you worry about? Ask me before Thursday! Lorraine
My daughter finishes her GCSEs this week and for me it’s setting boundaries and the balance of some more freedom with friends. With a festival looming it would be great to have some practical advice about how to keep safe, your phone safe, what to carry belongings in, etc -perhaps from some of you who are experienced in this matter. And how to discuss this without sounding like a nag all Summer.
Exams finished end of May for us in Scotland . Always find they crash and burn a bit after so I am very lenient, letting them sleep, eat whatever and don’t nag them to do anything ( despite me being desperate to blitz their bedrooms with several binbags ). School is v good as just lots of activities especially for 6th year, DofE trips and no real lessons or homework ( some schools start the next academic year straightaway which is tough) . Then the party season kicks in and I just go with it really as it’s only for a 3 weeks ( term ends on 22nd June !)! and I feel they deserve it especially after the last two years . Over the holidays it’s just trying to find a balance between activities and doing nothing and maybe throwing a few gentle suggestions in or conversely being realistic with times, distances , finances and over full diaries depending on the child 😅. We still have boundaries with phones in bedrooms and bedtimes during weekdays and I probably ask a wee bit more help with chores ( with a teen driver this is surprisingly useful!) .
We finish tomorrow. I’ve a Mummy/Daughter lunch and trip to The British Museum (her happy place) planned, and a few fun dates over the next week or so. Beyond that, I’m really worried about Imogen slipping into a fug, she has some summer holidays planned, but too much unstructured downtime, which is highly likely to mean mindless scrolling and social media induced anxiety. I’m trying hard not to try and control her downtime, but she’s an only child and we work full time. It’s a worry for sure!
Ok, I will ask about 'down time' - though it is a good thing according to experts I have worked with and even better if parents are not involved in it. more later this week.
Concerned about keeping boundaries and some restrictions in place as the rest of the household have work and school and won’t be in the party place I suspect my son will want to be in! He may well surprise be and be sensible. 😬
Looking forward to reading. I met a lovely woman this weekend asking me about her 10yr old- soon to go into the world of teens. I couldn’t give her massive great in-depth knowledge as still making it up as I go along. I am much more comfortable with a baby/toddler- can do those stages with my eyes closed. I have only just stopped mourning a pushchair and playground (and it’s been 6yrs!) Teens are amazing creatures just exploding with hormones, vulnerability, strength and think you know absolutely nothing. It’s a hell of a ride and I really want to learn how best to manage it as one feels a bit of control themselves (especially when you add menopause to the mix).
My daughter finishes her GCSEs this week and for me it’s setting boundaries and the balance of some more freedom with friends. With a festival looming it would be great to have some practical advice about how to keep safe, your phone safe, what to carry belongings in, etc -perhaps from some of you who are experienced in this matter. And how to discuss this without sounding like a nag all Summer.
Exams finished end of May for us in Scotland . Always find they crash and burn a bit after so I am very lenient, letting them sleep, eat whatever and don’t nag them to do anything ( despite me being desperate to blitz their bedrooms with several binbags ). School is v good as just lots of activities especially for 6th year, DofE trips and no real lessons or homework ( some schools start the next academic year straightaway which is tough) . Then the party season kicks in and I just go with it really as it’s only for a 3 weeks ( term ends on 22nd June !)! and I feel they deserve it especially after the last two years . Over the holidays it’s just trying to find a balance between activities and doing nothing and maybe throwing a few gentle suggestions in or conversely being realistic with times, distances , finances and over full diaries depending on the child 😅. We still have boundaries with phones in bedrooms and bedtimes during weekdays and I probably ask a wee bit more help with chores ( with a teen driver this is surprisingly useful!) .
We finish tomorrow. I’ve a Mummy/Daughter lunch and trip to The British Museum (her happy place) planned, and a few fun dates over the next week or so. Beyond that, I’m really worried about Imogen slipping into a fug, she has some summer holidays planned, but too much unstructured downtime, which is highly likely to mean mindless scrolling and social media induced anxiety. I’m trying hard not to try and control her downtime, but she’s an only child and we work full time. It’s a worry for sure!
Ok, I will ask about 'down time' - though it is a good thing according to experts I have worked with and even better if parents are not involved in it. more later this week.
Thursday is the day for us!
Concerned about keeping boundaries and some restrictions in place as the rest of the household have work and school and won’t be in the party place I suspect my son will want to be in! He may well surprise be and be sensible. 😬
Boundaries are tough but I have some thoughts based on the book for this.
Looking forward to reading. I met a lovely woman this weekend asking me about her 10yr old- soon to go into the world of teens. I couldn’t give her massive great in-depth knowledge as still making it up as I go along. I am much more comfortable with a baby/toddler- can do those stages with my eyes closed. I have only just stopped mourning a pushchair and playground (and it’s been 6yrs!) Teens are amazing creatures just exploding with hormones, vulnerability, strength and think you know absolutely nothing. It’s a hell of a ride and I really want to learn how best to manage it as one feels a bit of control themselves (especially when you add menopause to the mix).