Typically, teenagers aren’t always super open, available, or excited to tell you about their report cards. That’s why, in today’s episode, we’re spilling the beans about how you can have a productive, constructive, and empathetic conversation about grades with your teen and help them go from grade-obsessed panic to independently accepting responsibility for their academic performance. Tune in as we discuss the importance of checking in regularly, asking open-ended questions, being curious about your kid’s academic life, getting additional context from their teachers, focusing on performance rather than achievement, and much more!
Key Points From This Episode:
- [0:01:41] Counterproductive ways our parents talked to us about our report cards.
- [0:03:05] How we coach kids (and parents) to discuss their academic performance.
- [0:04:44] Why you shouldn’t make the conversation all about the letter/number grade.
- [0:07:00] Open-ended, reflective ways to talk about grades before grades come out.
- [0:09:51] The role that schools and teachers play in cultivating a fixation on grades.
- [0:12:58] Reasons to talk about learning and performance rather than achievement.
- [0:15:39] Making a habit of checking in regularly versus only discussing poor grades.
- [0:18:22] Strategies to help your teens succeed, regardless of external circumstances.
- [0:25:13] How to know if a tutor would be a helpful tool for your teen.
- [0:26:37] When it’s appropriate to contact the school or a teacher about a specific grade.
- [0:31:25] Our opinion on why tutors should be temporary.
- [0:34:42] Key themes and takeaways from this conversation.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram