15/02/2026
February half-term is here, and if you’re a parent of a teen, it may look very different to those craft-filled, soft play days.
For some of you, this is the half-term where you have a young adult who “should” be revising.
I remember these weeks so clearly. I used to find them unbearable at times. The tension in the house felt thick. I felt every emotion my girls were feeling, the pressure, the overwhelm, the frustration, and if I’m honest, I often just wanted it over. There were many expletives also!
Half-term can bring its own joys, slower mornings, no school run, a bit more family time, but it can also magnify stress when exams are looming. As parents, we desperately want to help… but we don’t always know how without adding to the pressure.
Here are a few gentle reminders if you’re supporting a teen who is revising:
✨ Separate the teen from the tension.
Exams are stressful. Revision can make even the calmest teen prickly. Try to see the stress as something sitting alongside them, not who they are.
✨ Be the calm, not the clock.
They already know the exams are coming. What they need most is a regulated adult. Your calm nervous system helps settle theirs far more than repeated reminders ever will.
✨ Create structure together.
Instead of telling them when to revise, ask:
“What feels realistic today?”
A simple plan with breaks built in often works better than a full-day timetable that no one can stick to.
✨ Normalise breaks and rest.
Brains need downtime to retain information. Fresh air, movement, laughter, and even a half-day off can improve focus far more than pushing through burnout.
✨ Notice effort, not just output.
“I can see how hard you’re trying.”
Effort-based praise builds resilience. Outcome-based praise builds pressure.
✨ Keep connection bigger than correction.
A shared cup of tea. A quick walk. These small moments remind them they are loved for who they are, not what grade they get.
And finally… be kind to yourself too. Supporting a teen through exam season can stir up your own emotions, your fears, your memories, and your desire to protect them from disappointment.
You don’t have to carry all of that alone.
Half term might feel heavy at times, but it’s also an opportunity to show your teen what steady, compassionate support looks like under pressure. And that lesson will last far beyond any exam result. 💛
