Helping Kids Navigate New Experiences: Tips from a Parenting Expert
As parents, we want to do everything we can to prepare our children for new experiences, whether it’s starting secondary school, university, or a new job. But how can we best support them through these transitions?
According to parenting expert Rachel Vecht, it starts with providing a safe space for children to express their thoughts and concerns. “Listen to them without dismissing their worries,” she advises. “Help them with the logistics of the new experience, whether that’s finding familiar faces in the new environment or ensuring a routine and structure are in place.”
Rachel also suggests contacting online groups and finding connections with others going through the same transition. This can be especially helpful for children starting university or a new job, where they may not have a built-in support system.
But it’s not just about supporting our children through these transitions – it’s also important to care for ourselves as parents. “Set boundaries, understand your own needs, and commit to self-care activities with others,” Rachel says.
If you’re looking for more parenting advice, check out Rachel’s blog and corporate services to support working parents on her website, Educating Matters, which covers strategies for parents of different age groups. She also offers a signature online course, Parenting Matters, a self-paced course drawing on Rachel’s 30 years of experience and applicable to children of all ages.
Remember, with the right support and preparation, our children can thrive in new experiences and reach their full potential.
Enjoyed this Q&A with Rachel? Then check out our interview with Rachel on the Work It Like A Mum podcast, where she discussed the secrets to parenting success. Listen here.
Timestamps:
Parenting children of different ages [00:02:02] Rachel gives advice on how to parent children of different ages fairly, using the strategy of setting up for success and preempting common issues.
Finding childcare during school holidays [00:06:03] Rachel acknowledges the difficulty of finding childcare during school holidays and suggests researching the local area and reaching out to other parents for advice.
Supporting children during exams [00:07:43] Rachel shares her experience of supporting her children during exams and emphasises the importance of emotional support and keeping things in perspective. The topic of supporting children during exams such as GCSEs is briefly mentioned towards the end of the segment.
Setting boundaries around screen time [00:09:38] Rachel discusses the challenges of screen time for children of different ages and advises parents to set clear boundaries and screen time contracts.
Dealing with bullying [00:13:30] Rachel gives advice on dealing with bullying, including keeping a diary, speaking to the school, and boosting the child’s confidence and self-esteem. She also suggests looking at the underlying reasons for the bully’s behaviour.
Roleplaying to deal with unkind behaviour [00:16:12] Rachel suggests using roleplay to help younger children respond to unkind behaviour. She gives examples of how parents can help their children prepare for different scenarios.
Dealing with swearing children [00:18:42] Rachel discusses the importance of modelling good behaviour and suggests using “I statements” to explain how swearing makes parents feel. She also advises parents to understand why their children are swearing and to talk with them about the impact of their language.
Potty training tips [00:22:05] Rachel advises parents to wait until their child is ready for potty training and suggests making it a positive experience. She also recommends using resources such as books and making it fun for the child.
Supporting your child when they’re about to start something new [00:24:08] Tips for parents to support their children when they start something new, such as primary school, secondary school, or university.
Making time for yourself as a parent [00:28:06] Advice on how parents can make time for themselves while juggling parenting and work responsibilities.
Details about Rachel Vecht’s online parenting course [00:30:20] Information about Rachel Vecht’s online parenting course, including where to find it on her website.
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