Teen Activities: How To Support Your High Schooler {Back-To-School Week!}

By Tiffany Rudd

Four of Deborah's kids off to school...at Hogwarts of course! :)

Even though it feels like just yesterday, it's been quite a few years since I was in high school. And, it will be quite a few more before my kids are in high school. So, I turned to Deborah and her awesome girls (my gorgeous nieces) to hear their advice on how parents can support their high school students. They had some great ideas.

1. Make sure they get enough sleep. Deb and both of the girls said this one first thing. Kids need sleep to be able to physically and emotionally handle the demands of school. Making getting to bed at a decent hour a priority in your home will make the school year go much better.
2. Make them eat a healthy breakfast. Shannon said she probably wouldn't ever eat breakfast if not for her mom. She also said that anytime she skipped it she was hungry and had a hard time concentrating long before lunch.
3. Be aware of grades, but don't make them too big of a deal. Both girls said that they like that their parents check online and are aware of their grades and assignments. They also said they are glad their parents don't freak out when they don't get perfect grades. They've definitely found a great balance in their family.
4. No computers in their bedrooms. It's too hard for kids to concentrate on homework with facebook, emails and messaging with friends to tempt them. 
5. Help them find balance. There are so many great options for extra curricular activities, but between homework, sports, clubs and jobs kids can quickly become way over-scheduled. We want out kids to be successful and well-rounded, but sometimes part of being a good parent is knowing when your child needs to cut back. It's okay for you and for them to say it's too much.
6. Let them make choices and live with the consequences. My cute nephew pointed out that it's important to teach your kids right and wrong and then let them make their own choices. I have a feeling this one is going to be hard for me. :)

I hope their great advice helps you parents who are supporting high school students. I'm already nervous for when my little ones become teenagers. Luckily they have fantastic cousins to set a great example.