Starting High School -- Tips for Parents

Going to high school is a big transition for teens. It's during high school that they get ready to move away from their families and enter the bigger world. It's also a time when youth often engage in risky behaviors. So it's a good idea for parents to plan ahead and get ready.

Here are some things to think about:

An increased school workload. In general, high school is harder and more demanding than middle school. Most teens can handle this. Make sure there is time built into the day for your teen to do the work —and still get at least eight hours of sleep. It may not be possible to do all the activities, including social activities, that they did in middle school. Better to keep the after-school commitments light and add on to them if time permits.

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