TRANSCRIPT:
 

You’re listening to The Parents of Hardworking Teens Podcast, episode 107: What happens at home and with parent-teen relations when students have their study nailed.

Hey VIP’s! I hope you’re doing great. 

This episode is SO much for you. And, well, in fact about you. Rather than being about your teen and their study. It’s about the impact that having your teen sorted with their study can have on you as their parent or carer, your home and family and your relationship. 

Now, this is not the usual sort of thing I talk about, but as I recorded last week’s episode, all about the outcomes that study success creates and what study success actually is and looks like for your teen, I was constantly thinking about the outcomes and changes for the better that parents tell me they’ve seen and experienced too. So, I thought I’d share these with you. And do it now, because as I mentioned on the last episode, hubby and I have bought a house - and we are moving in 4 days of me recording this! I haven’t mentioned much about it before as I haven’t wanted to jinx it, because we’ve been waiting on a few official hoops to be jumped through as it’s a deceased estate and there have been all the things happening with finalising probate for the vendors and allsorts. And we just got an official settlement date last week, so it’s been house move a-go-go ever since. 

So I’m recording this episode and then I’m also going to plan and record the next couple of episodes after that, as I already know what I want to talk about AND I want to make sure that you still get your weekly podcast from me AND I am not hugely confident of a smooth internet set up at the new place. Because well - these things never are, are they, so I’m going to make sure I have a couple of weeks worth of content ready for you here - and then I’ll be back on and can tell you how things are going. How well we survived and whether everything is actually out of boxes or not.

I would say wish me luck, but you know I’m not a big believer in luck when it comes to things you mostly have control over, you can listen to episode 29 for more on that. So maybe just wish me luck for a dry day on move day after all the rain we’ve had here lately. I’ll take that and absolutely acknowledge that I don’t have control over the weather. Although I did choose to move from the UK to Australia, so I guess I had a little bit of control, haha. Anyway, onto other things you can control and our focus for today - get the benefit of:

Today, we're flipping things around a little. Last week, we talked about the benefits to teenagers when they study more effectively and successfully. But what about the parents? How does all this hard work and improved study habits impact you? That's exactly what we're diving into today. So, let's explore the top 5 VIP benefits - that is the benefits our very important parents tell me THEY experience when their teenager is hitting their study goals and seeing the symbols of success that we discussed in last week’s episode 106.

The first VIP benefit is Peace of Mind.

One of the biggest benefits I hear from parents when their teens are studying effectively is peace of mind. That they just don’t have to worry any more. When your teenager knows exactly what they’re doing, how to do it AND is using efficient study techniques to get it done, you don’t have to be ‘checking in’ or worrying about the amount of time they’re spending studying (or procrastinating). You don't have to worry about them staying up way past YOUR bedtime revising for exams, or desperately trying to meet tomorrow’s deadline, and you don’t have as much of that nervous energy on those frantic nights before a big exam. I won’t say NO nervous energy, but less is definitely do-able. Because knowing that your teen has the skills to manage their workload and complete tasks and exam prep effectively takes a huge load off your mind.

VIP benefit number 2 is More Quality Time Together.

Effective study habits, less procrastination and just smarter and more efficient study means less time spent buried in books or on their laptop and more time available for activities together. When your teen knows how to study efficiently, they can complete their tasks faster and with less stress, leaving more room for other things. Maybe that’s family dinners, rather than, I’ll eat at my desk. Or weekend outings, or whatever quality time together might mean for you and your teen. Maybe just watching a good TV series, or a hot chocolate at the coffee shop. I think those were about as good as my mum could’ve hoped to get with me, I’m sorry to say. But better than being barked at from the dining room table, hey. 

And on that note…

The third VIP benefit is Reduced Stress and Conflict and a more harmonious household.

Because, let's face it: a stressed teenager can lead to a stressed household. When teens are struggling with their studies, it can create tension and conflict at home. By equipping your teen with the best study strategies and insider know-how, you're making them a more confident and successful student, helping to reduce their stress levels, which in turn reduces stress for everyone else in the house. I always remember Hannah’s mum Anne telling me how mornings were less stressful because tasks were done and printed and in the bag. And Hannah wasn’t coming to her the night before something was due and asking her to read through an assignment to see if it was okay, and Anne feeling like she wanted to help but wasn’t really sure herself if it was okay or what the teacher wanted, which of course, would lead to more stress for Hannah, mixed in with a little bit of conflict. 

So - benefit number 3 - Fewer stress-fests about homework and grades, and a more harmonious home environment – definitely a big benefit for parents of skilled and strategic teens.

Okay, VIP benefit number 4: Improved Communication.

When your teen is confident in their study abilities, it often translates to better communication with their teachers and with you. I find this kinda gets split into two categories by parents and carers I hear from. On the one hand, your teen is more likely and more ABLE to articulate what they need help with and to discuss their academic goals and progress. This open line of communication means you can support them more effectively and be more involved in their academic journey without feeling like you're constantly nagging for info or micromanaging their study. 

On the other hand, they can sort out their own stuck points, can have much more confident and productive conversations with their teachers and so don’t need to come to you for help or advice as much. So many parents actually really like NOT having to be quite so involved - because it takes away the need to be able to solve every issue, and therefore any guilt at those times when maybe you can’t really help AND because it shows their teen is becoming more independent and confident.  

Which brings us to VIP benefit number 5 - which is Seeing Your Teen Thrive.

Perhaps the most rewarding benefit of all is simply seeing your teen thrive. If you want to see some lovely examples of this, straight from the horses mouth, then check out some of the case studies on the 10WGT info page - I’ll put the link in the show notes, but just go to the Rock Solid Study website and click Program.

In particular, I’d take a look at Josh and Tammy, Elley and Katy, and Beth and Cath for some specific examples of this. 

You don’t need me to tell you that having your teen gain confidence, achieve their academic goals, and grow into independent, capable young adults is incredibly fulfilling. And knowing that you've played a role in helping them develop these skills is a source of pride and joy. It's a reminder that all the effort and support you provide truly makes a difference. I say that as a teacher, so I can only imagine it is ten fold or a hundred fold as a parent.

So, I’d love to know: if you’re a parent of a 10WGT grad, drop me an email and let me know what your biggest VIP benefit has been so far. I always love a celebration email. And if your teen is not in the 10 Week Grade Transformation Program, then A) tell me what VIP benefit you’d most love to experience, and B) I’d love to have them come join us. 

Because when your teen is studying more effectively and successfully, it's a win-win for everyone involved.

If you're interested in learning more about how to help your teen develop these study skills, check out the 10 Week Grade Transformation Program atwww.gradetransformation.com/join. 

And for those looking to take things to the next level, our Next Level program will be opening up for enrolment soon. Get on the waitlist at www.gradetransformation.com/nextlevel. 
I'll include both links in the show notes.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Please rate, review and share.

Have a wonderful rest of your day, and a fantastic couple of weeks. I'll be here with you for the next two episodes and then I’ll hopefully be coming to you from a new pod location after that. (Hint - it will likely be from inside the wardrobe for the audio quality while we get the place up together after that.) 

So take care, I’ll see you back here soon and fingers crossed for no rain on move day please! 
Bye!