The Year Out Conversation

A year out is your teenager’s decision to make; your part is to ask them calmly what they are thinking.

A two-minute read, three things to try, for ages 16 and over.

Where to start

Keep your first reaction to yourself and ask: “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Trust that your teenager was thinking about this long before this conversation.
If your teenager takes the year, check that they have chosen it and haven’t just fallen into it.

The rest of the tip, and why it works, is in the library.

Source

YoungMinds, parent-facing resources on supporting a young person through education transitions

It goes with

The 11+ Year. For parents whose child is preparing for school entrance exams.
When They Stop Talking to You. For parents whose teenager hardly talks to them any more.

The first chapter you open here is free to read in full.

Free on this subject

Transitions. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.
School stress. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.

The rest of the library

The Parent Book is a library written by therapists: chapters on the situations parents bring to our therapy rooms most often, quick tips for tonight, things to do together, and every sheet to print. One subscription opens all of it, from the day you join.

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If you need help right now

Published by Kensington Square Therapy. Company No. 16707111. Written by therapists registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This page is not therapy, and not a substitute for professional support. The full library is at theparentbook.com.