52: Transitioning to secondary school: What we wish we'd known about preparing our tweens & teens, and ourselves.

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The transition from junior to senior school can be thrilling; the chance to meet a much bigger group of kids, and gain more of the independence that's part of growing up. But change is always stressful, and when you combine a big shake up of friend groups with puberty, having to navigate your way around a larger school campus, and the immense pressure of having to study for endless exams, it's not surprising that the first year can feel very tricky.

As one parent said, 'If your kid can get through that first year of senior school without wanting to stay home, or leave the school, then you're winning.'

So what can we parents do to really help with the transition?

OTHER EPISODES:
TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-3-techniques-for-talking-with-your-teenager-and-teenagers-having-sex-in-your-home/
SCREEN TIME MANAGEMENT: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-9-how-to-help-your-teens-manage-their-screen-time-and-talking-to-them-about-healthy-eating-without-giving-them-an-eating-disorder/
FRIENDSHIP GROUPS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-10-helping-your-teen-navigate-friendship-groups-particularly-girls-and-how-to-get-your-teen-to-keep-going-instead-of-giving-up-at-the-first-hurdle/

ANXIETY: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-14-how-to-help-your-teen-with-anxiety-and-how-to-set-rules-that-your-teens-will-follow/
STAYING CALM: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-teenagers-37-our-overreactions-make-us-feel-awful-and-dont-even-achieve-anything-positive-so-what-can-we-do-to-stop-them-from-happening/

VAPING TEENS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-teenagers-35-vaping-teens-the-new-epidemic-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/
TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOL: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-2-should-we-be-letting-our-teenagers-drink-alcohol-and-what-should-we-be-telling-them-about-it-also-how-to-stay-connected/

RESOURCES USED:
https://www.parentkind.org.uk/assets/resources/Be-School-Ready-Secondary-English-July-2023.pdf
https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/secondary/learning-school/starting-secondary-school
https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/school-education/school-choosing-starting-moving/starting-secondary-school
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/blog/helping-your-child-manage-the-move-from-primary-to-secondary-school/
https://www.madeformums.com/school-and-family/preparing-your-child-and-yourself-for-secondary-school/
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/6-months-send-how-emotionally-financially-prepare-your-child-college-ncna850771
https://www.thepersonal.com/blog/-/preparing-your-child-for-college-or-university-8-tips-for-success
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/tea

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I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.

My email is [email protected] The website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
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Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk