Due to COVID, students and teenagers have suffered a lot. They have been asked to stay in the house for weeks or months, their lives are forever changed, and their education is also impacted. If the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your child’s high school plans and are dealing with more pressure, read on. Here are some tips on how to help your teen cope up with the high school pressure.
- Talk to Them
The first thing you need to do to help is talk to them. Please give them a platform to talk about what’s bothering them without offering any judgment. Let them feel that they can tell you anything and can trust you. It will let them vent out their high school issues and feel less stressed and more relaxed.
- Help with the Homework
Another thing you can do is to help your teen with the homework. No, you don’t need to do it for them or on their behalf. Instead, you can educate them about time management, planning, and dividing the workload to make things easier. Give real-life tips that they can use to reduce the burden of the ever-increasing homework.
- Celebrate Small Wins
You also need to be more available for your teen. Celebrate small wins with them and acknowledge their hard work. It will motivate your teen to do better in the future. They will also feel that you are their friend, not just a strict parent.
- Teach “Can Do” Attitude
Teenagers often have the habit of giving up easily and getting frustrated with the insignificant things. You can teach them the “can do” attitude. Your teen should take on every challenge head-on, including school tests or pop quizzes, and shouldn’t feel stressed about it. Taking some action is better than just stressing about the high school challenges.
- Give Them Space
Every teenager should be given a space where they can study in silence. It will help them focus better and get good grades. The space should have ample natural light and be free of distractions. Even a teen’s siblings or parents shouldn’t be allowed to enter the space while the teen is studying.
- Have Some Quality Time Together
Teenagers, like most adults, need some rest and relaxation time. Make sure that you provide it to them. You can do it by planning something for just the two of you or the entire family. Teenagers regularly need to feel that they are loved, they matter, and are good enough. When you spend quality time with them, they would appreciate it and boost their confidence.
Let Them Follow Their Passion
Following one’s passion is as vital as getting good grades. It would be beneficial if you found some activities based on your teen’s favorite hobbies and passions. Some teens prefer making music, while others love to travel. Let your teen follow their passions along with completing their homework in a timely manner. It can work as a stress buster for them.
- Talk to the Teachers
If you are concerned about your teen’s performance in high school, you should talk to their teachers. Have a one-on-one chat with all their teachers to find out where your teen is struggling and what can be done about it. Ask the teachers for recommendations and follow through on what they suggest after discussing it with your teen. Never keep your teen in the dark about anything, as it can lead to trust issues. Be able to communicate openly without any fear or judgment.
- Don’t Set Unreal Expectations
Parents can often make the mistake of over expecting from their kids and teens. Every teen is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. Don’t compare your teen with other teens. Instead, allow them the space they need to excel in what they love and are naturally good at.
- Talk to an Expert
Find a mentor or a role model who has walked in the shoes of your teens’ passions. For example, if your teen wants to be an animator, reach out to your professional network, and see if someone knows an animator. Let that professional talk to your teen about the pros and cons of being an animator. You can also reach out to a therapist or a counselor if your teen is developing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. Do not be afraid to ask for support for you and your teen.
For in depth coping hacks, you can trust me, Michelle Mehta, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner.
I am passionate about helping teenagers feel authentic, empowered, worthy, loved and helping them create a sense of belonging and believe that the world needs their talents. If you feel you would like to have your teenager work with me, let’s set up a time to talk and connect. I look forward to Empowering Your Teenager to Shine with Confidence. To know more, click here.
