Adolescence is a tumultuous time for boys and a period of rapid change. As parents, we can recognise it is the beginning of what can be an awkward and confusing time. Adolescence is also a time when boys will develop life skills they will carry into their adult lives.
Topics: Adolescence, Mental health, Parenting tips, Pastoral care, Raising boys, Fathering
Safety is always at the forefront of our mind when it comes to our children. Our natural response is to protect our children from harm, but we have to be careful not to overprotect them. It is important that children gain increasing levels of independence in order to lead fulfilling adult lives. Encouraging a small level of independence from a young age, and recognising when to increase this level of independence is vital for your son to develop necessary life skills.
Topics: Adolescence, Mental health, Parenting tips, Pastoral care, Raising boys, Fathering, Boys learning
Many Year 12 students feel immense pressure to do well in their Year 12 exams, whether it be in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Now that the exams are done and dusted, how do you best support your son to make decisions about his future, and cope with whatever the results may be and the end of daily life as he knows it?
Topics: Adolescence, Fathering, Parenting tips, Raising boys
On the whole, you could be forgiven for thinking our kids have never had it so good. They’re likely to be healthier, wealthier and better educated than any generation before them. But increasingly, they report feeling anxious, stressed and depressed.
In a 2016 KidsHelpline report, the organisation reported that it received 3,828 counselling contacts (74 contacts a week, or 11 a day) in relation to bullying. And now, a new study has found that children experiencing bullying are more likely to experience some impact on their academic performance.
Topics: Parenting tips, Boys learning, Pastoral care, Raising boys, Bullying, Fathering, Mental health, Adolescence
Any boy can rise to a challenge. If your son views the challenge as something to overcome and conquer, rather than a setback, he is more likely to develop resourcefulness and resilience. Some boys may find that the uncertainty and difficulties of adolescence will affect their motivation and approach to challenges – this can mean that they do not relish the opportunity to prove themselves. Defeating a challenge will not only help your son to grow in character but will help to gain motivation for the next challenge he will inevitably face.
Here are six tips for encouraging boys to embrace challenges:
Topics: Adolescence, All boys education, Parenting tips, Raising boys, Risk-taking, Fathering, Boys learning
It is natural for boys to test boundaries and they do so across all developmental stages. When they are young, they don’t always understand the potential for negative outcomes or consequences, especially when they get swept up in the moment, driven by adrenaline and encouraged by their friends.
Discussing risks and consequences with your son is something you will need to do on a regular basis – from the early years when he may test his physical capabilities – to the teenage years when he will explore his independence. Unmanaged risk-taking can lead to dangerous behaviours including binge drinking, smoking, drug taking, aggressive driving and aggressive behaviour.
Topics: Adolescence, Parenting tips, Pastoral care, Risk-taking, Risks, Raising boys, Fathering, Trinity difference
From time to time, it’s important to take stock and look closely at the relationships you have with your children. The father-son bond in particular, is one that changes throughout your son’s physical and mental development, but the one constant, essential for a healthy father and son relationship, is spending ‘quality time’ together.
Topics: Fathering, Parenting tips, Raising boys, Adolescence, Pastoral care, Trinity difference
By Trinity Year 9 student, Joshua Yeoh
School life is filled with a diversity of emotions, it is a giant roller coaster ride, with ecstatic highs and devastating lows. Friendships are an immensely significant part of life at school, in dealing with different emotions and powering through difficult times whether in academics, sport, or any other personal issues that may be present.
Topics: Adolescence, All boys education, Boys' education, Boys learning, Mental health, Middle School, Pastoral care, Trinity difference, Students
Four ways to develop your child's growth mindset
When Trinity Grammar School hosted adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg for a parent evening, he expressed his significant concern for this generation of young people’s low level of resilience compared to previous generations. He implored parents and educators to refrain from protecting young people in cotton wool, and instead, encourage them to learn to stand on their own two feet and deal with setbacks. Here we explore why failure can be the best teacher.
Topics: Adolescence, All boys education, Boys learning, Boys' education, Education, Fathering, Improve learning, Mental health, Parenting tips, Raising boys
As a parent, your main priority is to ensure that your son is healthy, happy and well adjusted in life. Your child may not always verbalise or communicate to you how he is feeling, but there are some very helpful signs that will help you understand how your child is faring in life on both an emotional and physical level.
Here are the six signs your son is healthy and happy:
Topics: Adolescence, Boys' education, Boys learning, Raising boys, Fathering, Parenting tips, Mental health
