Another school year is now in full swing. Parents and caregivers know that a new school year can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Keeping a few key points in mind can help your student (and you!) make the most of your school community — and equip you with practical tips and tools to help.

Regular heart-to-heart conversations can go a long way in helping your student feel confident and ready to take on classes, activities and new friendships. Talk to your student about what’s going well so far and what might need some attention.

Take time to ask them about their friends. Who makes them feel good, and who doesn’t? Help them strategize ways to build closer relationships with friends who make them feel good about themselves and to feel confident moving away from relationships with people who don’t. Look for opportunities to help them broaden their horizons, strengthen their character and build resilience.

7 Ways to Support Your Student

Spending time with your student and taking time to talk with them can go a long way in providing support. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  1. Be an active listener.
  2. Ask open-ended questions.
  3. Validate their feelings.
  4. Partner with them in problem-solving when they need extra support.
  5. Encourage them to advocate for themselves.
  6. Emphasize effort over grades.
  7. Frame challenges as opportunities for growth.

5 Ways to Support Yourself

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently released Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents. The report is a reminder that now, more than ever as parents and caregivers, it’s important to also take care of ourselves. Here are few tips:

  1. Don’t overschedule yourself. Prioritize downtime.
  2. Make a plan for your own “extracurricular activities” — walking, pickleball, taking a Zumba class, working out at the gym, joining a book club, and other engaging activities.
  3. Involve the whole family in creating a weekly schedule and meal planning.
  4. Remember to breathe.
  5. Give yourself grace. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect!

Questions to Consider

The stress of the school year is a good time to ask yourself how you and your student are doing.

  • Is your student adjusting well to the school year?
  • How well is your teen balancing their mental health and academics?
  • What additional support do you and your student need?

Additional Resources