Results, Results, Results....How should parents react to kids' exam results?

Today’s the big day for so many of our young people and it’s really important for their self-esteem and confidence that they get their ‘moment’. For some, quite lowly grades will be a huge achievement. Others will be disappointed that in amongst a string of ‘A’s’ lurks just one ‘B’. But most, if not all, will have done their very best and are entitled to this one day of self-satisfaction.

So it’s hugely important that parents don’t bring their own expectations to bear on this emotional day. You may be disappointed in your child’s results but now is not the time to say so. As long as you know they’ve worked really hard, please just let them enjoy today. Nothing is more guaranteed to bring a young person down, than a bit of niggling from a parent. Most will have worked really hard for months before their exams, and will already be in a state of emotional turmoil about the results. And the very best outcome for everyone is for the young person to be allowed to feel their own feelings in their own way without anyone else imposing their judgements, or criticisms or disappointment.

So, even if your offspring haven’t quite come up to your expectations, it’s really important that for this one day you put your feelings aside. You let your child have his or her ‘moment’.......it’ll never be possible to recapture this day or this time, so just let them go with the flow.

If more work needs to be done, if re-takes are on the horizon, you can sort it all out tomorrow or the day after. But for today, let them bask in their own glory if they can, or, if they’re disappointed in themselves, try to perk them up by reminding them how hard they work and how much you still value them. Exam results do not make a human being...and it may be kind to remind them of that.
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