I have 14 year old son. He is six feet tall, 175 pounds so he looks like an adult. Inside though, he is still just a kid, and he struggles with some of the same things I did when I was his age. He has trouble staying organized. He is smart enough to do the work he’s given in school but his grades often suffer when assignments are turned in late or not turned in at all.
At the beginning of the school year, we try to get right back to business.. We establish a routine and plan for the coming year. After all, it is time for a fresh start, setting new goals, and finding inspiration for the coming year.
I’d like school to be a pleasant place for him, a place for learning, but some of the challenges he has make that hard for him. There are ways to help him beat stress in school.
Meditation
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There are a few kinds of meditation you can work with your child on, but as teens are easily distracted, so sitting quietly is a challenge. You can make it fun, though.
Concentrate on breathing meditation, and do it with your child. It will help your mental state as well, and you will be leading and teaching by example. There are many resources for guided meditation.
Use Virtual Reality. There are apps that go with virtual reality glasses to help you and your child meditate. You don’t have to break the bank to use it either. Google Glass patterns and even glasses are inexpensive and readily available, but if you and your child are into gaming and other VR applications, investing in a better pair might be worthwhile.
Exercise
Physical activity is one of the best stress beaters there is. Whether your kid is like mine and loves to play basketball and ride bikes or they have another activity they would rather do, invest in their participation, and play with them. Using programs like NFL Play60 is one way to do this.
Good coaching, time spent being active instead of sitting around will help you child’s mental and physical well-being. A good diet along with the exercise will not only teach them good eating habits but help keep their moods even as well.
Hobbies
For my son, music is a passion of his, and he plays guitar and ukulele pretty well. He is always learning new songs and practicing. It helps him calm down after a rough day at school.
No matter what your child’s hobbies, encourage them to continue pursuing them. Get them lessons, the things they need, and encourage them. Those hobbies might just turn into something more when they are older.
Get Them Help in School
Most online schools are utilizing an online exam monitoring software to ensure the security and integrity of their exams, so the students need to work just as hard, if not harder, than when they were going to their face to face classes.
My son struggles in math. If your child has similar struggles, look for options like an Online Special Education Program, peer help, or even hiring tutoring professionals. Giving them help so they can feel more confident academically will help lower the stress they feel from classes and the desire to get good grades.
I’m sure there are other ways to help your child with stress. What do you do when your kid is stressed to help them overcome it? Let me know in the comments.