Dads and Study

I do think we are missing a gem when it comes to helping our teenagers study and pass exams. That gem is the fathers and the important role they can play. In my experience, Dads tend only to get wheeled in if things are going wrong or some kind of reward/punishment needs to be issued. Now I know that is not the same in every house and I am speaking in generalist terms here. However, over and over again in the many families I have worked with, we are not using fathers to their full potential. And I know some of these statements are very stereotypical and they may put the feminine and masculine movement back years, however I think sometimes you just need to say what is – make of it what you will.

Dads, you have important skills your teenagers need. The biggest reason most children fail at exams is simply that they cannot get themselves organised in a logical way and I think that this is where Dads can really shine.

1. Men tend to be more result-focused and less involved in the emotional turmoil of the situation. This level headed approach will really support your child in dealing with the feelings, apprehension and general overwhelm of the situation. If you see your child struggling, lend a hand, use your natural skills, ask them what their desired final result is and help them plan to get there.

2. Logical thinking – let's face it, what child could not do with a little more of this? Considering that most teenager just don’t know where to start, dads needs to step up, sit down and make plans with their children. A lot of fathers have an innate ability to plan things in a military style ( much to most women's annoyance). Support your child to apply some logical thinking to their study, for example if they have 100 pages to study and 10 days to do it, that is 10 pages a day ... that kind of level-headed, logical thinking will really support your child.

3. Men are, whether you agree or not, biologically programmed for results. Us ladies enjoy the process more and it is the road you take to get there with all its deviations that matters. For men, it is results and that is what your child needs to do well in exam. A lazer focused vision that, for the most, men do really well. That steel determination "Do It At Any Cost attitude" (the same used to put the shelf up, whether we want it there or not) will help children focus on results and not just the process. The mum's "try your best and we will love you anyway" is important, but that result driven orientation fathers can provide is worth its weight in gold.

So dads, step up to the plate here, you have a vital job! You need to be teaching your children how to take a result-orientated, logical, focused approach to their exams.

By Sarah Newton - New Thinking for a New Generation

Sarah Newton, best selling author, TV teen coach and Gen-Y Guide is here to demystify the world of the next generation. Having spent the last 14 years immersed in the culture of the millennials, Sarah helps parents, schools and companies to connect, engage and motivate young people in a way that gets long lasting results. A recognised thought leader in this field, Sarah is passionate about presenting her thinking and ideas in practical and useful ways that allow people to guide the behaviour of the next generation without crushing their spirits.

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