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Taking the Stress Out of Back-to-School
By Mother | August 19, 2006
The back-to-school blues can affect everyone even teen students. Perhaps your teen is worried about making friends, or is anxious about making the grade. Back-to-school worries can affect both straight A students and those who are barely making it through.
First of all, it is important to determine whether your teen is suffering from school-related stress. Is he or she complaining of stomach aches or headaches? Does he or she have a negative outlook about the start of school? Is he or she grumbling about heading back to class? Is your child a loner? Is he or she reluctant to purchase school supplies? If you answered “yes” to any of the preceding questions, your teen could be exhibiting signs of stress related to returning to school.
However, it is entirely possible that these signs are symptoms of something else. That’s why it is so important for your son or daughter to have a check-up with a pediatrician before heading back to school. The physical examination could reveal information about your child’s health that is critical for his or her overall well-being.
If, however, the check-up indicates that your teen may be reacting to stress, you’ll need to engage in some stress management techniques. The most important of these is to have a heart-to-heart talk with your child. See if your child can articulate his or her fears. In your discussions, try to answer your teen’s concerns as openly and honestly as you can. For instance, if your teen has worries about a particular teacher, consider making an appointment with the teacher so that you can hash out concerns. If your teen is entering high-school for the first time, make sure that he or she receives a tour of the school. A little bit of information can go a long way in addressing your teen’s concerns.
Reassure your teen that you will love him or her no matter what his or her grades are, but also make your teen aware of your expectations. Make sure that you let your teen know that you expect him or her to perform his or her personal best each day. This can help prime your teen for success, while letting him or her know that you will always provide support.
Another helpful strategy is to take your teen on a back-to-school shopping spree. Make sure that he or she is intimately involved in picking out folders and pencil cases. Such a shopping spree can help to equate school with fun. You might also consider taking your teen on a trip to find a new wardrobe. Dressed for success, your teen may be better able to cope with the demands of school.
We sometimes fail to realize how stressful school can be to a teen. There’s the issue of social relationships, scholastic performance, and extra-curricular activities. A teen must please the teacher, the principal, the parent, and friends. It can be a great deal to handle. By setting realistic expectations, offering a shoulder to cry on, and a willingness to offer some problem-solving techniques, you can help to guarantee your teen’s success in school—and eliminate some of the stress that he or she will experience. If the teen is starting at a new school, you may have to go the extra mile in convincing him or her that you will provide unconditional love. As long as you keep the door to communication open, you and your teen should have a healthy and productive school year.
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Article provided by Marie Ynami of http://www.Mothersofteens.com . Marie is a busy mom of 3 kids. To read more articles like this about parenting, visit http://www.Mothersofteens.com.
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