Posted by the CBS Highschool Guidance Department
The Leaving Cert is beginning this Wednesday, and for the parents of the boys sitting their exams, we know this can be a time filled with mixed emotions—pride, worry, and everything in between.
While your son is the one taking the exams, your support behind the scenes is a huge part of helping him through. These next few weeks are about keeping things steady at home and making each day feel as manageable as possible.
Here is a practical guide to support you, as you support your son:
Keep Mornings Calm
The tone of the morning can set the tone for the exam. Help your son start the day steady by having everything ready the night before, exam timetable, ID, pens, calculator, and anything else they need.
Offer a lift to school if possible. It’s one less thing for them to worry about, and it gives you a chance to offer a quiet word of encouragement. If they’re making their own way in, check traffic or bus updates so they’re not caught off-guard by delays.
Fuel Their Focus
During exam time, good food is one of the most important (and underestimated) supports. Keep meals simple, filling, and regular. Encourage breakfast in the morning, even a slice of toast or a banana makes a difference.
During study, stock the kitchen with healthy snacks:
- Blueberries, bananas, and apples
- Nuts, seeds, oat bars
- Crackers with cheese or peanut butter
- Lots of water
Your son may not think of these things in the moment, but having them to hand shows care and keeps their energy steady.
Make Home a Calm Place
With nerves high, a calm home atmosphere can help more than you might realise. Try to keep noise down during study and let go of unnecessary chores or tasks that could wait. Let them know home is a safe, steady space while they’re going through this.
Acknowledge Every Exam
After each paper, even a simple “Well done, that’s one more finished” helps mark progress. You could also plan small, quiet rewards to lift spirits and give them something to look forward to, an ice cream, a takeaway, their favourite dinner, or time out with friends.
Let them Lead
Resist the urge to ask too many questions about how each exam went. Some students want to talk; others prefer to move on. Let them lead. Avoid going over answers or talking about points, what matters now is helping them feel ready for the next paper.
Mind Yourself Too
It’s easy to forget that exam time can be draining for parents as well. You're juggling logistics, emotions, and often work on top of it all. Make time for rest where you can. Even a walk, a chat with a friend, or a cup of tea in peace can help you stay steady too.
A Final Word
At CBS Highschool, we know how hard our Leaving Cert students have worked and we see the strength of the families supporting them every day.
You don’t have to have all the answers. The quiet things you’re already doing getting them to school, offering a kind word, making dinner, giving space these are the supports they’ll remember.