Are your kids drowning in stress from AP classes, endless homework, and sky-high expectations - and is their anxiety actually a mirror of your own perfectionist tendencies?
Rebecca and Seth tackle the mounting pressure kids face in school, sparked by their own children's experiences with multiple AP classes and unrealistic expectations. This episode offers practical strategies for parents to help their children manage academic stress while examining how our own behaviors model stress management. From breathing techniques and realistic scheduling to celebrating small wins, they provide a roadmap for creating healthier relationships with achievement and learning. The conversation reveals how school stress often reflects deeper family patterns around perfectionism and provides tools that work for both students and stressed-out adults.
5 Key Takeaways
➤ Transform Self-Talk: Replace "This sucks, I can't do this" with "I can do hard things, I'm resourceful, I can ask for help" - the internal dialogue shapes the entire experience
➤ Build in Breaks and Fun: Mandatory study breaks with a "de-stress toolbox" (bedazzling, Legos, exercise, music) actually improve study effectiveness and prevent burnout
➤ Set Realistic Expectations: Six hours of homework after a full school day isn't healthy - space out studying and focus on effort over perfect grades
➤ Examine Your Own Mirror: Kids watch more than they listen - if your children have unrealistic expectations, check what standards you're modeling for yourself
➤ Prioritize Sleep and Celebration: Early bedtimes cure stress and anxiety, while celebrating small wins (finishing homework, completing a test) creates positive associations with challenging tasks
Quotes
Rebecca Greene: "If you're having an issue with your child, go look in the mirror. How are you? I'm not blaming you, I'm just trying to help you. We can't control everything our children do. We can try. We can control everything that we do."
Seth Greene: "I started to get overwhelmed, and I stopped myself and said, just do one at a time, just see how it goes and made it through... I didn't have to know the whole thing, I'm just gonna practice one song."
Join the free, supportive Whinypaluza Mom Group on Facebook and visit https://whinypaluza.com/ for Rebecca's link tree with amazing free resources.
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