| It's that time of year again. Yes it's exam time - and | | | | problems into bite sized pieces. |
| parents everywhere are getting themselves in a real | | | | Encourage them to seek help if you are concerned - |
| state. What if Johnny fails? In this mad world where | | | | tell them it's a strength not a weakness to recognise |
| academic achievement has become the Holy Grail, we | | | | when you need help. |
| seem to have forgotten that this is not the only path to | | | | Don't project your own anxiety and frustrations about |
| 'success' and certainly not the only path to happiness in | | | | the outcome onto your child! Deal with your own |
| life! | | | | anxiety - otherwise that makes everything worse. |
| Yes of course we want to help our kids to do their | | | | Be calm and reassuring...keep everything in perspective |
| best, but getting stressed ourselves is not the answer | | | | - remember academic achievement not the only path |
| - far from it - it makes everything worse. Here are my | | | | to success!!! |
| tops tips for coming through the experience unscathed | | | | It's your relationship that matters - reassure them you |
| - and keeping it all in proportion! | | | | are there for them whatever happens. |
| Watch for symptoms: look for changes in behaviour, | | | | As a parent it's your job to help your kids to develop |
| sleep problems, stomach, headaches, nightmares - | | | | emotional resilience. If they don't appear to be doing |
| eating, smoking, drugs. | | | | the revision and seem lacking in motivation then remind |
| Take some pressure off - cut some slack when it | | | | them - it's only a short period of real effort. And how |
| comes to chores or other responsibilities .... try to ignore | | | | are they going to feel after the exams if they don't |
| moodiness. | | | | give themselves the best chance? |
| Offer support, talk gently - say for example "I can see | | | | Life can be tough and will always present us with |
| you're upset/angry " (DON'T say 'snap out of it!') | | | | challenges - doing things we don't necessarily want to |
| Maybe go for a walk and talk together - break down | | | | do is all part of it! |