When spring arrives it can only mean one thing for teenage students and their families: exam season. Yes, the trees may be blossoming outside, and new lambs may be springing in their step; but inside the home, the signs of stress may be beginning to show. The anxiety of exams is not just something that students themselves face; it can be difficult for their parents and other family members too.
As a parent, the whole exam period can be stressful and unnerving. Are we supposed to help them study? How many reminders about studying are classified as nagging? Or should we just leave them to get on with it? There are so many questions that go through our heads, but sometimes the best route to go down can be to follow our gut instincts.
Stress can do funny things to the best of us. If your son or daughter starts shouting at you during their study periods, it may just be because they feel like they need to release their stress. As a parent, it might be a good idea to be strong enough to take it; as long as it isn't too excessive! At this point, giving them the space they need could be constructive as they might be able to cool off.
Another way we can attempt to help during the exam period is to ensure that our teenage children are properly rested and fed well. We might not be able to force them to get off Facebook each evening, but creating a calm atmosphere in the home may make them in the mood for sleep. Meals could be filled with healthy vegetables as well as carbohydrates in order to give them some good brain fuel for studying the next day.
When the exams themselves come; be prepared for last minute nerves manifesting themselves in various ways. If they ask for help revising, you could find a quiet space together to go over their notes. It is probably best to avoid offering monetary rewards to your kids - say, £20 for every A grade - as this could add extra pressure to exams.
If you want more information on how to deal with exams, and other family and parenting advice, not-for-profit organisations such as Relate for Parents ( http://www.relateforparents.org.uk/ ) have specially trained counsellors who can help.
Angela Lakenhurst has an interest in family issues in the home and offers parenting advice.
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