Help! Mock exams are taking over our house

Question from a parent of a 16 and 18 year old

Question

Hi luna, I’ve got two teens, one doing GCSEs and the other A Levels, and we’re right in the middle of mock exam season. The stress levels in our house are through the roof, and I’m not sure how we’ll survive the actual exam period if this is just the practice run. Does anyone have any tips for managing the chaos and keeping things calm at home? I feel like I’m walking on eggshells every day!

Answer

Mock exams often bring heightened stress, both for teens and their families, but creating a calm and supportive environment can make a real difference during this time. If it helps, we actually have a whole article giving parents advice on how to manage exam-related stress.

From what we’ve learnt from teens, communication is key – in a luna poll, nearly 1 in 5 teens said that feeling listened to and understood by parents helps them manage stress during exams. 

Asking open-ended questions like, “what’s stressing you out the most right now?” can make teens feel supported without adding pressure.

Routines also help create stability – try planning study times, breaks, and family downtime to strike a balance between productivity and relaxation. Try to have mealtimes all together and anything else you usually do as a family also.

1 in 7 teens told luna that having a calm and supportive home environment reduced their stress significantly – so even simple gestures like making a favourite snack or cup of tea while they revise, or taking a short walk together, can help reset the atmosphere.

For more practical ways to help manage this stress, take a look at tips for helping a stressed-out teen.

Finally, encourage your teens to view mocks as a learning opportunity rather than a pass-or-fail moment. This reframes their stress into something more manageable, reminding them that progress matters more than perfection. A little encouragement and a calm presence can go a long way in easing the tension for everyone at home.

Wishing them the best of luck with their studies – there’s also lots of advice on the luna app for them if you need.

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