The end of the school year can bring a mix of emotions for families. There’s pride in how far your child has come, but also tension, late nights, and a sense that everything is riding on these final exams. For young people, this can be one of the most stressful times of the year. For parents, it can be hard to know how to help without adding more pressure.
Exams can feel enormous when you’re a teenager. There’s often the weight of expectation, not just from school but from themselves. Social media doesn’t help. It’s full of stories about high-achievers, perfect study routines, and “how to stay productive” posts that can make any student feel like they’re not doing enough. It’s easy to look around and assume everyone else is coping better. Most aren’t.
When your child is stressed, you might see them snapping more easily, withdrawing, or even seeming indifferent. Often, that’s just their way of coping with anxiety. Some stress can be motivating, but too much can make it hard to focus or remember what they’ve studied. As a parent, it can be painful to watch, and tempting to try to fix it. You might find yourself offering advice, encouragement, or reminders that come out sounding like pressure. But what helps most is calm presence, and showing them that you care about them, not just their results.
It can help to remind both yourself and your child that exams matter, but they don’t define a person. They measure performance at a point in time, not intelligence, potential, or character. No matter how much weight they carry, they are still just one part of a much bigger story. When parents can hold onto that perspective, it helps young people hold onto it too.
Many teenagers fear letting their parents down, even if you’ve never said that out loud. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to reassure them that your love and pride aren’t dependent on scores or ranks. You might not be able to take away their stress, but you can create a safe space around it and a home that feels steady, calm, and kind.
It’s also worth paying attention to your own stress. Children pick up on tone, tension, and mood much faster than we realise. If you can keep routines simple, meals regular, and the household energy predictable, it helps them stay anchored. Try not to let exams dominate every conversation. Ask about other parts of their life such as their friends, what they’re looking forward to after exams, or even what they want for dinner.
At this time of year, small things make a big difference.
Keep them fed, rested, and encouraged.
Notice their effort rather than their productivity.
Help them take short breaks and get outside.
Avoid comparisons with siblings, classmates, or yourself.
Remind them that life is full of second chances and new paths.
Keep a sense of humour as laughter breaks tension and brings perspective back.
These weeks will pass. Your child will probably surprise you with their resilience, and when it’s all over, what they’ll remember most is how supported they felt, not how perfect they were.
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