Some of our young people are about to take their mock GCSE exams, those that didn’t sit them before Christmas! The stress starts here! GCSE time put so much pressure on our young people. There is pressure at school, on social media, on the TV and from family and friends, I’m sure most young people dread the question, “How’s it going then?”. The question is asked as a way of showing support but that is not how it is always perceived. Our youngsters are scared of failing. What we need to do is to change that perception of failure!
I’m sure most people didn’t get Level 9, or As, in all their exams. Neither will your youngsters. We hope they will for all the right reasons but, realistically, it won’t happen for most of them. So, if they don’t, have they failed? Of course not.
Failure is not doing one’s best. Probably simplistic…but honest. We can ask no more of our young people than that they try. Make sure your special ones know that. You won’t stop loving them if their grades are lower than they want. You won’t stop supporting them if their planned route goes awry. You know that, do they?
Make life simpler for your family members. Give them a chance to talk, to cry even. Be aware that they are suffering. Provide them with comfort, mental and physical. Plenty of fresh air and exercise will help them too. Life is not just about studying but about getting the balance right.
They need your love and support.