As your child enters the high school years, parenting can become more challenging and complex. Balancing their growing independence with your desire to keep them safe and on track can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. With so many physical and emotional changes happening, it's important to approach parenting a high schooler with care and consideration, an education expert says.
“We have seen a sharp increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety. This is due to a greater demand on both children and adults to perform and contribute meaningfully to an ever-changing society,” says Candice Erasmus, Head of Student Behaviour and Wellbeing at Abbotts College Pretoria-East.
“These demands result in an increased number of stressors which could be financial, emotional and social. High school students often feel very overwhelmed by the workload, social expectations and navigating their school and social environments. Furthermore, due to their pre-frontal cortex not being fully developed yet, they may struggle with planning efficiently, time management and being organised, which further adds to their feelings of anxiety,” she says.
She says parents who are concerned about their child’s anxiety levels, can do the following:
DEALING WITH IDENTITY CHALLENGES
All adolescents go through a time called identity formation. During this time they need to engage in a safe exploration of their interests and hobbies, which will allow them to form who they are, what their likes and dislikes are and, furthermore, what their value system is.
Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their identity:
Boundaries and peer pressure are a continuum of deficiency of identity. If a child struggles to set boundaries, they tend to struggle to form their own identity and vice versa. This in turn causes a feedback loop with anxiety. This also leads children to be more vulnerable to peer pressure as they have not set their value system and therefore struggle to say NO.
Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their boundaries:
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Adolescents have a tough time regulating their emotions for several reasons such as hormonal fluctuations and a developing prefrontal cortex where regulation takes place. We have seen an increase in students who struggle to identify and express their emotions in different settings.
Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their emotional regulation:
NUTRITION AND SLEEP
Lack of good nutrition and poor sleep habits can have a significant impact on high school students' academic performance, physical health and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, many students are not getting the nutrients they need to fuel their bodies and brains and they are also not getting enough restorative sleep. This can result in decreased concentration, poor memory, irritability and even depression.
Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing good eating and sleep habits:
“Parenting a high schooler can be both challenging and rewarding. With so many changes happening in your child's life, it's important to approach parenting with care and consideration,” says Erasmus.
“By focusing on areas such as anxiety, identity, boundaries, emotional regulation, nutrition and sleep, parents can help their children navigate these crucial years with confidence and success. By being a safe haven for your child, engaging in discussions and activities together as well as providing guidance and support when needed, you can help your child thrive during their high school years and beyond”.
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