There’s no shortage of content focused on stress management for students, but teenagers aren’t the only ones impacted by the demands of high school.
This phase of life is stressful for everyone involved, including the parents of ambitious students. In many households, parents are the glue keeping everything together: they’re the managers of the schedules, the homework helpers, the chauffeurs from one activity to the next, and the ones directly supporting their kids through the challenges of high school and college admissions. Add things like work and hobbies and basic self-care into the mix, and there’s hardly time to breathe!
So here’s us reminding you to stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and center yourself. Your well-being matters for yourself and your kids.
Stress Management Tips for Parents
As you and your family prepare for this upcoming school year, use these stress management tips to help keep your head above water.
Be present
It’s easy to get caught up in regrets about the past and worries about the future. If your teen didn’t meet their summer reading goals or get as far ahead on their college application essay as you would have liked, try to let these things go. Wishing for a different outcome or stressing about what one minor misstep could mean for their future isn’t productive.
Try to live in the present moment and enjoy what’s right in front of you. Your kid won’t be a kid forever—cherish these precious times while they last.
Talk to other adults
There’s something so powerful about knowing that you aren’t alone—and trust us, you’re not. Take the initiative to reach out to other parents in your network and express that you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Chances are that when you open that line of communication, they’ll reciprocate.
Teachers are another great source of support. Sometimes, getting another trusted adult’s perspective on your student can be incredibly reassuring.
Control what you can
Stress and anxiety often stem from a feeling of being out of control. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can control. Establish daily routines to serve as anchors amid the chaos, and do your best to stick to them.
Little things like having your morning coffee on the back porch after your teen leaves for school or doing a nightly meditation to unwind can make a big difference in your well-being.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We tell students all the time that there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, it’s one of the bravest things a person can do. The same applies to parents!
Trained professionals like therapists and life coaches can provide parents with proven stress management strategies. The sooner you get the support you need, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
Fill Your Cup, and You Can Help Fill Theirs
Keep in mind that adult reactions have a significant impact on kids’ behavior. Showing up with frustration, fear, stress, and other negative emotions can influence how your teen thinks, feels, and acts. When you fill your cup, you’ll be in a much better position to fill theirs with the confidence, empowerment, and independence they need to succeed in high school, college, and the rest of their lives.
If there is ever anything Signet can do to support you and your family, please know that we are only a phone call away. Here’s to a great year for your student and for you!
