5 things new high school parents need to know

"What to expect when you're expecting... your kids to begin high school this year."

Who knew that starting high school would be such a big transition (for me as much as for my twins)!?

My fraternal boys have attended their prep to year 12 school since kindy.

I didn’t expect much to change when they graduated primary school last year. Our drop-off and pickup locations are the same. We know lots of the teachers already. We’re used to the annual events like the fete and carnivals. Their tight group of friends has barely shifted other than expanding to welcome a couple of new kids.

Not much has changed. Yet so much has changed.

Just as there is a big jump when your kids move from kindy to prep, there is a big learning curve when high school starts. It’s the first step towards adulthood and, for a mum, it’s a stark reminder that we’re more than halfway through this roller coaster of parenting our school kids.

Here are five things I’ve learnt so far.

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Karen has learnt a lot about high school this term. Source: supplied

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1. The responsibility increases, but they still need you

Your kids are given more responsibility for managing their workload in high school, but they still need your support and encouragement.

High school thrusts them into this new world where parents aren’t included in every piece of communication anymore.

The end of term one involved a flurry of deadlines and a big rush to complete tasks with a few stressed late nights. It caught me off guard.

I now realise I need to proactively get my kids to keep me in the loop so I can monitor their deadlines and volunteer to review drafts early enough. While they’re ready for more responsibility, they aren’t yet ready for ALL of the responsibility just yet.

2. A zipper tie is a good idea

If you can, get a zipper or pre-tied tie. While one of my boys is a pro at tying his tie and doesn’t mind doing it, the other HATES doing it with a passion and it causes him (and me) daily headaches.

3. Offer support from a distance

As parents, we don’t have to step in all the time to fix things – we can hang back and encourage our kids to take the lead.

If they have something they want to raise with the teacher, rather than jump in and send an email on their behalf (as I would have done in primary school), I’ve been trying to encourage them to talk to their teacher instead. It’s a learning curve though as the primary school mum in me still thinks it’s my job to be the lead communicator. I’m a work in progress!

4. Encourage life skills!

In year seven, kids are ready to really learn some serious life skills. Think ironing, sewing, cooking, cleaning, gardening...

I’ve loved seeing my boys thrive when learning these practical tasks at school. Now I realise I should be giving them even more responsibility at home to encourage these practical life lessons. Especially while they still think that ironing is an exciting novelty!

Karen and her family. Source: supplied

RELATED: I went to an all-girls high school. I won’t be sending my daughter to one

5. Embrace the learning styles

I always knew kids learn in different ways but high school has demonstrated this even more clearly.

They’re doing new subjects. They’re learning new software. They’re using new equipment (using ovens in cookery, sewing machines in textiles, tools in industrial tech…).

My biggest takeaway after term one is that I can clearly see how my twins thrive in different learning environments. One is very studious and learns from books and classroom learning. The other is hands-on and loves practical tasks and creative projects.

This information is so valuable for me and for their teachers so together we can help them achieve their potential.

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Time speeds up

While the toddler years felt like they dragged on forever (because toddler days are known to be 97 hours long), I’ve been told the high school years speed by in the blink of an eye.

I may no longer have tearful preppies sitting in a heap on the floor crying because their socks are bumpy, but I’m under no illusions that life with a pair of high schoolers is going to be plain sailing. It will bring with it its own complex challenges. I’m ready to learn as I go. At least I’m not sleep-deprived as I navigate this new phase this time though!

Originally published as 5 things new high school parents need to know