Parenting tips for helping children through the stressful exam period

Being a mum of 3 children, two of whom recently did their GCSE and A-Levels at the same time and now faced with my youngest sitting her GCSE whilst my son is preparing his final submission at art college, I know exactly how stressful this period can be!

Papers, pens, revision charts, revision cards, books, paints, paint brushes, highlighters, sweet wrappers - and wires! - everything everywhere!

Is that what is happening in your home at the moment?

Is it all on the kitchen table or the kitchen island and hard for you to navigate cooking in the kitchen?

Yes, I've been there!

But it really doesn't matter; what matters is that we help them through their anxiety and stress and support them in as many ways as possible.

1. No pressure 

If you have high expectations for your child, they will already know that and don't need to be reminded, as this will most likely add to their stress level and make it harder for them to concentrate.

2. Keep feeding them good and healthy food

Make sure your fridge and cupboards are full of healthy snacks and if you can cook some of their favourite meals for them, that might prevent them from skipping meals or resorting to unhealthy snacks. Having a natural break for a meal is good for them during periods of heavy revision.

3. Help them create a revision structure - if they want

I said 'help them if they want' as I found with my children that they are quite independent and they don't want me to interfere too much. They like to talk to me about what is going through their head and how they want to plan it, but they don't want me to ask them too much about it. It's finding that delicate balance between being supportive, dropping a question here and then about how it is going - I have definitely learned NOT to say, 'are you planning to revise now?'. If I say that my daughter says, "Well, I was going to, but now I am not!"

4. Revise in comfort

I mentioned the kitchen table at the beginning of this article, this can soon become the hub where everything gathers. That might not be so bad if only one child is revising, but if more than one child is revising, it definitely doesn't work. Not in my house.

The ideal situation for your child would be to have a desk and space for their revision books and papers in their bedroom

Options like High Sleepers with a desk under the bed are great space-saving options, and your child can organise a useful study space in their bedroom.

Having at least one day off from revision in a week is healthy. Getting outside in the fresh air and exercising regularly also helps to maintain the dopamine levels needed to be able to focus on revision.

Encourage them to take a break sometimes to watch a good movie together, laugh and do something relaxing together so everything is not all so serious, it helps create a good balance and makes them feel supported.

Brace yourselves - just be there for them through it all, have good food ready at all times, big smiles, encouragement, ignore grumpiness, it will pass - and listen to them, if they are really worried, make sure you make time for them.

I hope sharing my experiences and tips has been helpful. Wishing all our children the very best through the exam period.