Focus on...

Hi MECS community! I’m Bek and I am one of the wellbeing officers at MECS. I have the

privilege of journeying alongside our amazing secondary students as they navigate school

life, celebrating their strengths amidst the speed humps along the way. In my role, I have the privilege of learning so much from our wonderful students about what they wish their parents/caregivers knew about what it’s like being a young person in 2023, basically the stuff that helps them and stuff that doesn’t. So let’s get stuck in!

‘7 things I wish my parents/caregivers knew…’

1. I wish my parents didn’t say they ‘understand what I’m going through’ because the

truth is, they can’t! Being a teenager now is a lot different to what they experienced;

social media, influencers, the pandemic, social pressures of today. I wish my parents

would ask me questions about what it is like to be a young person in 2023, act

interested and understand the unique challenges that I am facing in a

non-judgmental way. Learn more about Gen Z/Alpha - through the shows they

watch, the music we listen to, what we see online on Instagram and TikTok. Learn

about our world. That would be really useful.

2. I wish my parents took a gentler approach when talking about uncomfortable topics.

A written letter is sometimes an easier way to do it for me. Walking or driving in the

car can be good too as eye contact can be tricky during these hard moments. It

shows they care when they consider my feelings and it makes things less awkward

for me. Keeping these conversations short and to the point is helpful too.

3. I wish my parents didn’t bombard me with questions about my day when I get in the

car after school. I need to switch off. I feel bad because I often act annoyed/grumpy,

the truth is… I just feel so tired (and often hangry!) after my big school day that I don’t

have energy to talk. If they tried to chat after I’d had a snack, changed into comfy

clothes & had a few minutes to scroll on my phone or watch a bit of TV, I’d be a

totally different person!

4. I wish I didn’t get in trouble when I need a mental health day from school.

Sometimes, I just need a day to recharge so I can come back stronger. I need my

parents' support at this time most, I don’t want them to be disappointed in me, I want

to know my parents are on my side and we are a team.

5. I wish my parents knew that my phone is my lifeline. It connects me to my friends,

talking to them makes me feel better when I’m sad. Taking my phone away takes

away my support system. Grown-ups make fun of teenagers for ‘not being able to

survive with their phones’ but it’s my safe place and a space where I can be myself

and feel supported by my friends.

6. I wish my parents didn’t tell me to ‘get over it’ when I’m upset about something that

happened at school that day. The problem might seem small to them, but this is my

life and it’s a big deal to me! I don’t even expect them to fix it, I often just need a

listening ear and a hug.

7. I wish my parents knew that while I act tough, I’m still just a kid who wants love and

support from my parents. Being a teenager is so confusing at times, my hormones

are going crazy and sometimes I’m grumpy and say stuff that I don’t mean but at the

end of the day, I just need my parents to be patient with me and tell me they're proud

of me. That means the world.

For more ideas/resources:

● https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/the-big-issues/

● https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/adolescence/

● https://parenting.sa.gov.au/pegs/living-with-young-people-peg.pdf

Bek Snelling

Wellbeing Officer