The countdown is on for students and college students. For the 2026 baccalaureate, the final written exams kick off from June 15 to 18, 2026 (with the dreaded philosophy exam on Monday June 15 morning), while the grand oral exam will take place from June 22 to July 1, 2026.
As for the youngest, they will take the written college certificate tests on Friday June 26, Monday 29 and Tuesday June 30, 2026.
Faced with this tight schedule, the family atmosphere changes color. Between the piles of revision sheets and tired faces, parents often find themselves helpless, oscillating between the desire to boost their child and the fear of doing too much.
“It’s a challenge for the whole family.”psychologist Pascal Anger immediately reminds us. So how do you adopt the right posture? How can we become an effective support rather than a source of additional stress? An update on the good reflexes to adopt.
Create a sanctuary of serenity at home
So that your child can concentrate as much as possible, his daily environment must be as stable as possible. It’s time to ritualize the days and ensure an impeccable lifestyle. Sleep, diet and overall well-being are the pillars of its success.
In addition, try as much as possible to protect him from the turbulence of adult life. If there are tensions in the relationship or financial concerns, put them aside in front of him. “There must be no grain of sand in its path during this straight line” advises our expert.
Practice active listening rather than lecturing
When faced with a stressed adolescent, a parent’s natural tendency is to provide solutions or directive advice. This is often a mistake. Sometimes, the child simply seeks to express his fears to free himself from a weight.
We must therefore take it upon ourselves as a parent to avoid adding anxiety to anxiety. Settle into a posture of caring listening. “Being an ear and not necessarily giving advice, but being an ear and being present, that’s what seems to me to be the most important” he still believes.
Say stop to unnecessary pressure and comparisons
Adolescence is a difficult period of transition where the lack of reference points is constant. No need to add to your mental load with toxic phrases like “You must succeed at all costs” or by reminding him of a somewhat chaotic first semester. The past is in the past, stay positive!
Likewise, definitely banish comparisons with siblings or classmates. Every child is unique and approaches stress differently. For some, stress is a driving force; for others, it is paralyzing. It’s up to you to adapt to their profile, not the other way around.
Focus on relaxation tools and decompression
To help him manage peaks of anxiety the day before or during the tests, do not hesitate to offer him relaxation techniques, such as sophrology or simple breathing exercises.
And once the last copy is returned? Let go. Leave him free to do what he wants to release the built-up pressure. “We have the impression that everyone is passing their baccalaureate at that time.” laughs the psychologist. Allowing your child to breathe also allows you to decompress.
In summary, accompanying a child towards their exams requires parents to strike a subtle balance between discreet presence and absolute trust. By putting the issue into perspective – after all, a missed year is nothing on the scale of a life – you will offer him the greatest gift of all: an emotional safety net to approach the future serenely.