It’s that time of year again. Whether you are suffering SATs, grimacing through GCSEs or alleviating A Level stress, being a parent in June is a role not to be underestimated.

It takes tact, timing and tenacity in order to keep the household sane and on track during these troubling times.

I have dug deep into my parenting archives to find the best advice for parents of teens at exam time, so
I hope this hits the mark.

Declare your bedroom a ‘No Child Zone’!

Firstly, be prepared. I am not talking about revision timetables, stationery supplies or deadlines – those are your child’s responsibility. No, I am talking about doubling down on patience, committing to tongue-biting and declaring your bedroom a ‘No Child Zone’ – let’s face it, everyone needs a safe space in the house during exam time and you are no different!

Accept that life will take on a strange Twilight Zone appearance in which your teens will appear to sleep all day and stay up all night, eat sporadically and crave Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s Funky Monkey Ice Cream by the bucket load.

Nothing you say is right. Nothing! Don’t even try. Your suggestions are not helpful – so please stop making them. No, it wasn’t the same when you were at school (even if it was).

With regard to the younger ones; keep reading those bedtime stories, practising times tables and encouraging them to use the widest possible vocabulary at every opportunity – within reason.

One way in which we parents can really help our kids as they navigate the minefield of testing and measuring is to be a place of constant love and support. It is vital that they know they are loved unconditionally, that they will not be rejected if they fail maths, don’t get 6 A*s or some other random heinous measuring line we expect our kids to cross these days.

Remind them how proud you are of their character, their sense of humour, their tenacity and their resilience. Remind them how far they have come and how they have overcome so much in their life already. I am sure every family has at least one dramatic tale of overcoming adversity that can be regaled at just such a time. If not, embellish something – I won’t tell if you don’t!

Remember, there is life after exam season

Finally, there are the colouring books; again for you, not them. This is all about you, dear reader! Treat yourself to a grown-up colouring book and some coloured pencils, pour a glass of Zinfandel and pop a meditation track on your iPod. Put your earphones in and they won’t dare disturb your Zen state, leaving you so blissed-out you will ‘forget’ to check on them and never discover that, rather than doing any revision whatsoever, your teenager is mainlining ‘Riverdale’ or ‘Pretty Little Liars’ again!

This, my dear reader, is how we survive exam stress! As for the kids, they have had years to prepare, and if they don’t know it now they never will. So give them a break and a hug, and remember, there is life after exam season.