Is your child in their matric year?
Are you concerned about how to support your child?
The matric year is extremely stressful for the learners and the pressure of the year tends to affect families too. Parents can pay a key role in supporting the learners, but the truth is, the parents’ themselves might need support for dealing with the challenging year. Below are 5 tips for parents with children in matric
- Affirm and encourage your child – People thrive when their strengths are highlighted, pick the things that your child does well and acknowledge them. This will boast their confidence and enable a ‘I can do it attitude’.
- Be informed – In the Matric year, a lot goes on. The learners apply for university, they decide what they would like to study and of course they write the final exams. As a parent seek key information about application dates, career options that interest your child, entry requirements for universities, National Benchmarking Test dates and bursary options. Knowing this information will help you plan better.
- Encourage Balance – I am sure you have heard the term ‘all work and no play makes John a dull boy’ – it is important to encourage your child to have regular breaks and continue the activities they really enjoy. Perhaps a timetable might help with managing time.
- Mange your own anxiety – For you to be a pillar of strength for your child it is important that you are in a good space. Take time to practice relaxation techniques such as mindfulness to manage your own anxiety. If you master these skills, you can easily role model them to your child.
- Ask for help – There are resources that are available to assist you. You are not alone in this journey. The school, your family, your friends and your community can be of assistance to you. Utilize the resources available to you.
Many parents have been through this journey and they have survived. With assistance you will be able to support your child in their Matric year. For other tips visit
http://www.parent24.com/Teen_13-18/Development/development_behaviour/Co…
Blog Author
Tatenda Mawoyo