Show Notes
It's a question I see asked a lot. There's a whole Facebook group dedicated to discussing the issues parents have when their children are preparing to leave home for university, and the questions come in cycles. Right now, it's UCAS forms and university choices, as the deadline for applications looms. In a couple of months it will be questions about A-Level revision and exam dates, and then will come the angst - in rafts - over teenagers whose parents don't think they're ready. (I have a sneaking suspicion it's the parents who aren't ready most of the time, not the kids.
My guest in this episode speaks to this parental fear as a parent herself, and as a psychologist who supports families of children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes. Professor Deborah Christie talks about how any disability makes it more difficult to leave home, especially for the often chaotic lifestyle of university.
With data* suggesting that over a third of young adults have a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness, could this be something your listeners might be interested in? Deborah offers reassurance and tips for success, whatever your fears for your child as they gain independence and have to look after themselves.
1. * Research commissioned to mark the integration of Abbott's [https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/home.html]FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor with Insulet's Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System.
More for parents of teenagers preparing for university
* Don't fear the empty nest [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/dont-fear-the-empty-nest/] (podcast) * 10 Tips for coping with empty nest syndrome [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/10-tips-for-coping-with-empty-nest-syndrome/] (read) * Being diagnosed with diabetes as a teenager [https://open.spotify.com/episode/51MDEEAPiFU1wgatBBjfhB] (podcast) * How to keep your teen safe at university [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/how-to-keep-your-teen-safe-at-university/] (read) * 60 Gifts for university students [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/60-gifts-for-university-students/] (list)
Who is Deborah Christie?
Deborah Christie is a professor of paediatric and adolescent psychology at University College London NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. She is an internationally respected academic and award-winning clinician; with an outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications, teaching and leadership with over 200 peer reviewed papers and chapters and a bestselling book, Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Families. She co-authored the expert reports on Psychosocial Issues of infection and the Impact of bereavement for the UK government Infected Blood Inquiry.
Who is Helen?
Helen wills is a counsellor, a parent coach [https://helenwills.com/], and a teen mental health podcaster and blogger at Actually Mummy [https://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/], a resource for midlife parents of teens.
For information on your data privacy please visit Zencastr's policy page [https://zencastr.com/privacy-policy]
Please note that Helen Wills is not a medical expert, and nothing in the podcast should be taken as medical advice. If you're worried about yourself or a teenager, please seek support from a medical professional.
Episode produced by Michael J Cunningham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-cunningham-245586266/].
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