Help us find great teachers for 2025 & Understanding your young persons behaviour: the High Road Approach

Understanding Your Young Persons Behaviour: The High Road Approach

Over the years, I've come to understand a key principle about teenagers' behaviour: every action has a Meaning and a Context. This understanding can significantly shape how we, as parents, respond to our children, leading to more positive outcomes for their development.

High Road : Recognise >>> Understand >>> Respond

Low Road : Assume >>> Guess >>> React

Whenever your teenager exhibits a particular behaviour, they are usually trying to GET, AVOID, or ACHIEVE something. For example, if your teenager (I know you thought these would pass as they moved into adolescence!) throws a tantrum or over reacts when asked to do something challenging, they might be trying to avoid the task. Rather than reacting with frustration or anger, consider pausing to ask yourself, “What is it about this task that’s causing my child distress?” This simple shift in thinking allows you to move from reacting impulsively to responding thoughtfully.

Context is another important factor. You might notice that your young person behaves differently at home compared to school or other environments. This is because the Context in which a behaviour occurs can significantly influence how a a young person acts. For instance, a young person who is confident and relaxed at home may feel anxious or withdrawn in a new or challenging environment. As parents, we have the ability to shape the Context at home in ways that help our children feel more secure and understood.

By choosing to recognise, understand, and thoughtfully respond to our young person's behaviour, we empower them to express themselves in healthier ways. This approach not only helps in managing day-to-day challenges but also strengthens the bond between parent and child, fostering a supportive environment where your child can thrive.

Remember, taking the High Road in parenting—pausing to understand the Meaning behind their behaviour and considering the Context—can make all the difference. It’s about responding with empathy and insight, which in turn nurtures your their growth and wellbeing.

A reminder also, that we have compiled a great collection of resources for parents and carers within our work with Real Schools:

Help us find more great teachers for 2025

With some retirements and expected further enrolment growth, we are now recruiting for 2025. If you know of anyone who might be interested and would be suited to our wonderful school, please direct them to our website. Our HR Coordinator, Laura De Lacy will facilitate a confidential meeting with me to see what might be possible.

We are presently advertising on Facebook and LinkedIn – resharing and reposting these help a lot.