This year is flying by, isn’t it? We’re suddenly a sixth through the school year and the summer holidays are but a distant memory! So let’s get a plan in place!
Firstly, the half term break is a time to recharge. Please help your child to do that by letting them get bored, spend time with their mates/in their room/just watching mindless stuff on a screen. Their brain is likely to be a bit frazzled and this needs respecting. It’s easy to cram the half term with activity after activity, but this can sometimes be detrimental. Maybe ask them what they want to do? I suspect it will involve one of the above at some point.
Next, take some time to reflect. In the mayhem that is the school week, have you had a chance to reflect on your child’s emotional and mental state? With things slowing down a bit, reflecting on their wellbeing and spending some time doing that in the break will pay dividends as we go into winter when things can get even trickier. There’s some tips in this previous blog about how to help your child be more resilient if they are struggling a bit, but if you realise that they are struggling more than a bit, then this is the time to seek help. A child counsellor might be the way forward or a coach. Just a little bit of help early on can make a massive difference. We have some great contacts. Just get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
If your child is in a crucial exam year, then they may be a bit panicked that a chunk of the year is gone and they are hurtling towards mocks and the inevitable end of yearness. This blog may be worth a look at now and if you need any help helping your child to get into the swing of revision, have a look at this, or if you are a current student, talk to your tutor about how we can help you.
Lastly, this is a great opportunity to sit down as a family and make sure everyone is on the same page and there is open dialogue and communication if your child needs it. With the rise of social media in your children’s lives, reminding them and reassuring them that you are always there for them could make a massive difference to their mental health and help them keep their worlds in perspective.
Have a fabulous break and I’ll see you on the other side!
Sue
SUE
Owner of Red Bird Tutoring
Sue launched Red Bird Tutoring in 2018, combining her 20+ years experience as a teacher and school leader with her interest in coaching.
Since its launch, Red Bird has helped hundreds of learners achieve success!