In this week's episode, we're off to Uni – or, more precisely, we're learning how to navigate the nuanced journey of preparing your kids for that big step.
My kids are in the 10 and under club, so thankfully the idea of sending them off to university is still pretty abstract. But for my friends with older kids, the journey is real and raw, and they're all solidly stressed out about it.
Navigating the journey from adolescence to adulthood with your kids is no small feat, especially when it comes to preparing for university. In my day, you just got a high school diploma, did your best on tests and took the SAT. Today it is much more complicated.
You'll need to decide what program your kid will do the best in. In Luxembourg we are lucky to be spoilt for choice. You can choose the British curriculum which has the A levels, the IB (International Baccalaureate), the EB (European Baccalaureate), or a local diploma from a classical school or a technical school.
Of course, choosing the right secondary school is just part of the puzzle. As parents, helping teenagers understand themselves better is fundamental to guiding them as they make crucial decisions about their future. That's why I am so excited to bring you this episode with Anneke Hudson. She's a Career Development Professional with a Masters in Career Development and Coaching Studies, and she currently works as the Career Councilor at St George's School here in Luxembourg.
In this episode, Anneke delves into the nuances of working with teenagers. The focus is not merely on academic excellence but on empowering students to make informed decisions that align with their personal ambitions and interests.
The first step in guiding teenagers is to help them gain self-awareness. Understanding one's strengths, weaknesses, passions, and values is critical in making decisions that shape future paths. Anneke discusses effective strategies and tools to support teens and even tweens in this crucial phase of self-discovery.
She says as parents, we should not try to talk them out of wanting to become something that is far fetched (like a YouTube creator, professional footballer or rock star), but rather try to guide the conversation to get them thinking about what those roles really entail. Is it marketing, graphic design, physical therapy or music theory?
And then, a very important step is to make them do their own research about what is out there rather than allowing the information to passively fall into their lap.
Once teenagers have a better grasp of their identity, it's crucial to channel this understanding into strategic decision-making. Anneke will share insights on how to help teens identify and pursue subjects that resonate with their interests, setting a solid foundation for future academic and career choices. It's about making choices today that will open doors tomorrow.
If secondary school or university for your kid is on your mind, this is an episode you don't want to miss! Give it a listen and let me know what you think. And if you have an idea for the show or you're interested in being a guest yourself, please reach out on Instagram @momlifeinluxembourg or email me at momlife@rtltoday.lu.
