Parenting Guide

5 Tips To Guide Parents With Children Transitioning To High School

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Aug 10, 2015

So you have a high school student. You sit in the roller coaster car as you climb the incline of freshman year, sophomore year, then begin the crazy roller coaster into junior year and, ultimately, arrive at the end, senior year. These next four years will fly by, so hang on. Here's your survival checklist on how:-

1. Be Proactive

Your kid is highly unlikely to tell you about events happening in their school or about their studies, therefore you need to take the initiative to call the school counsellor and subject teachers from time to time to keep updated on what's happening.

2. Ask The Experts About Course Selection

Again, ask the teachers to recommend what course levels/subjects are suitable for your child. The teacher should be able to gauge your child's ability level. Parents might say that "I feel my child can do this subject/course." The question to ask, however, should be, "I believe my child is able to do this, but will he?"

Parents need to be supportive yet realistic about their children's ability. You want them to thrive completing challenges, and not feel overwhelmed by too many expectations.

3. Gain knowledge and start planning

Ask your school counselor to help map out a five year plan of coursework (high school plus one year of post secondary) which leads to the dream career of your child. This will help to motivate your child to do well, and at the same time, keep them realistic.

This plan can change and is flexible. It only serves as a guide for your child.

4. Encourage job-shadowing

Encourage your child to contact people who are working in the area of expertise he is interested in and shadow them on the job. This will help your kid obtain valuable connections with those in their field of interest. Besides, your child will come out of the experience knowing if he truly will enjoy doing the job.

You'll be saving money, time,effort and tears if your child knows from the get go what he'll be facing once he starts working.

5. Don't be embarrassed to seek help

Along the way in high school, your kid might face temptations in the form of drugs, alcohol or unsafe sex. Notify the school counsellor and have a meeting on how best to help your child if you notice he is struggling and feeling overwhelmed.

Never feel as if you have failed as a parent. Know that you need to focus on getting help for your child so that he'll recover and continue pursuing his dreams.

*This article was adapted from Dr Sharon Sevier's article; "Guiding Our Children Through Transitions: High School"