Every February, I reflect upon my dislike of March.
In a matter of a few weeks, toward the second half of March, the “stress-o-meters” belonging to kids and their parents all over the country hit new highs. Geysers of judgment-and-worth erupt with news of middle school, high school, college, and graduate school acceptances . . . and rejections. If you are lucky not to have any kids on this particular emotional roller coaster, you may instead discover one in a deep pit of terror, having gotten abysmal midterm grades, with little time left in the academic year to dig their way out.
With so many sources of stress, it’s easy for a young person to perceive a small bump in the road as a catastrophe. Managing expectations, developing coping strategies, maintaining communication and helping teens keep perspective can be lifesaving.
Dr. Sky Pittson
