Student’s exam tension effects their families
Relationship counselling body Relate has found that exam tension in students is having a knock on effect on their families, especially parents and siblings, reports the Guardian.
Relate is now offering advice to parents on how to cope during exam time after finding that they are also suffering with stress caused by irritable teenagers and jealous siblings.
The charity have produced a leaflet detailing advice such as trying to tolerate bad behaviour during the exam run up by reminding themselves that it is the stress that is causing the irritable behaviour. Other advice warned against treats for doing well such as money or gifts and this only adds to the pressure and often causes a rift between siblings not receiving the same amount of attention.
Relate for parents stresses that it is anxiety doesn’t just fall on the students but also on the rest of the family. Relate counsellor Lin Griffiths highlighted how exam stress makes teens irritable and they may very well do some door slamming or storming out. Instead of shouting in these situations try to remember that it is a stressful period for them and this is not their normal behaviour.
Griffiths also pointed out that its essential parents be aware of all children. Other siblings will also be affected and if they notice you making exceptions for the bad behaviour of a brother or sister this may cause them to start acting up.
As the exam season in now well under way the issue of anxiety and stress in parents has become the topic of many parental chatroom’s online. These are really helpful resources where parents can swap tips and make suggestions.