How often do you check your teen’s grades?
This school year has been tough for many teens, adjusting to online learning or a hybrid model, changes in how classrooms are teaching and more. When I talk with teenagers in my practice, school is usually the #1 source of stress in their lives and the #1 source of conflict with their parents.
Let’s talk about some ways that you can support your teen in learning to complete their work and manage their time without the conflict!
Here are 5 of my favorite strategies to help monitor your teen’s grades/homework without getting into an argument:
Work with your teen to make a plan for monitoring their grades.
Agree on the plan. Decide on the frequency of checking their grades, day/time, and when you will discuss it. This will prevent your teen from feeling like you don’t trust them. It will also allow them to be prepared and less defensive for any chats you may be having.
Stick to the facts
Approach the conversation as informational rather than emotional. Try to use phrases such as, “ I noticed that,” or “I looks like.”
Include your teen in deciding the next steps
Show your teen you have faith in them by allowing them to help come up with a plan to address any issues. Ask them what they think the next steps should be and make a plan together. This eliminates the dynamic of you being the “bad authority figure” and creates a team dynamic.
Stick to the plan
It is important to show you trust your teen by sticking to the plan you came up with and giving them time to figure things out.
Agree on a Follow-up Check in
Whatever the next step is—talking about how it is going is important. Agree on a time to discuss it and re-evaluate if needed. And if necessary, agree on a consequence if the plan isn’t met.
The first quarter is coming to an end for many teens. Start the second quarter off right. Try these strategies out and let us know how they work for you. If you and your teen additional support managing school stress contact us today to learn
