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Managing Stress as Parents of Teenagers

School brings a mix of emotions—curiosity and awe, but also worry and stress. Reflecting on your own school experiences may help you understand your teen's feelings. While stress can be a sign of something important, it’s essential to support your teen through it.

Understand Your Teen’s ‘Why’

What motivates your teen at school? Is it friendships, structure, academic goals, or simply getting through? As a part of the wellbeing team, I chat with students who come with all these ‘whys’ and more, when the ‘why’ feels threatened, that’s when we can feel stressed. Understanding your teens motivations helps you empathise with their stress. Listen to their ‘whys’ without planning a response right away, listen for the sake of listening!

Stay Calm

It may seem like the focus is on your teen, but your emotional state matters too. God made us in a way that we draw off one-another's emotional states and moods. Staying calm creates a safe space for your teen to express themselves. Checkout this article for strategies to maintain your calm.

Ask Instead of Assume

Instead of making assumptions, ask your teen about their stress responses. Discuss how they cope, how they wish to cope, and what help they need from you—like a hot chocolate during study time or a listening ear for friendship issues.

Practical Tools

Use tension-taming tools as references for managing stress.

Remember, stress is a natural, God given response that signals the need for change, action or it’s something we really value. 

For more wellbeing and stress management tips, check out REACHOUT.COM.

Ady Sliwka-Arena

Secondary Wellbeing Officer