How you can help your teen thrive in Upper School

"The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It's a good non-specific symptom; I'm a big believer in it. A lot of people will tell you that a good phony fever is a dead lock, but, uh... you get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor's office. That's worse than school. You fake a stomach cramp, and when you're bent over, moaning and wailing, you lick your palms. It's a little childish and stupid, but then, so is high school."

-Ferris Bueller

Ah, high school.  Not an easy time for students or for parents, but critical for our children's development and preparation for college.  So what can we do to help our teens thrive in Upper School?  Mom and PACA volunteer Kelly Vaziri has offered a few tips:

Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day.  Starting the day off right with something healthy and hearty WILL make a difference in academics, energy and mood.  Looking for some suggestions on what to feed your teen or your teen athlete? Check out these resources:

Healthy Breakfast Meals for Your Teenager 

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Teen Athletes 

Watch for signs of stress and be proactive in reaching out to teachers, advisors and school counselors.  A great primer on how to recognize and ease stress in your high school student can be found here.  

Have firm discussions about alcohol and drugs with your teen.  Looking for some ammunition to engage your child in coversation? Read more below:

10 Reasons Not to Drink 

Why Do Adolescents Drink, What Are the Risks, and How Can Underage Drinking Be Prevented? 

As Ferris so sagely reminds us, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Let’s not miss the chance to help and guide our teens to their fullest potential in Upper School.