Episode summary

Maycember is here: theme days you find out about at 8:47 p.m., end-of-year events, and, for middle and high school families, finals and exam stress layered on top of everything else. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude shares a simple Finish Line Mode plan to lower demands without losing structure, so your kid can finish the year feeling capable, not crispy. You'll leave with tiny wins you can use this week, including the Sleep, School, Connection anchors and a quick 10–10–10 exam plan that turns "I'm cooked" into "okay, I can start."

In this episode you'll learn

• Why Maycember is a capacity season, not a character test, for kids or parents
• The MV3 Finish Line Mode anchors: Sleep, School, Connection
• How to lower demands using the Drop, Modify, Keep method
• The 10–10–10 Exam Rescue to help middle and high schoolers map finals week
• How to support teen self-advocacy without bulldozing school communication

Tiny Wins to try this week

• Write MV3 on a sticky note: Sleep, School, Connection
• Do the 10–10–10 Exam Rescue once (30 minutes total)
• Pick a school anchor for the last two weeks (example: exam days or first period)
• Help your teen send one self-advocacy message (they write it, you proofread)
• Add an 8-minute connection check-in daily (no fixing, just presence)

Pick one. One is enough.

Free resources

• Volcano Moments + Hurricane Level Feelings: What to say before your kid explodes. – scripts for the moment right before things blow. https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/volcanomoments
• School Psych Toolkit (K–12) – support for home–school problem-solving. https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/schoolpsychtoolkit

Research snapshot

• The term Maycember captures how May can feel like December-level intensity, packed with end-of-year events and parent mental load. https://theholdernessfamily.com/mayisthenewdecember/
• End-of-year transitions can feel bittersweet, and that mixed emotion can raise stress for both kids and parents as routines shift. https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/scientific-mommy/202505/parenting-through-the-bittersweet-end-of-another-school-year
• American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance emphasizes routines and basic supports, especially sleep, as anchors that help kids function during school seasons and transitions. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/back-to-school-tips.aspx

Connect with Psyched2Parent

• Shownotes and Previous Episodes: https://psyched2parent.com/podcast/
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Donation page

If you'd like to support Amy's fundraiser: https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/projects/297130-amy-patenaude-s-fundraiser

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a provider-client relationship. If you're concerned about your child's mental health, safety, or development, please consult a qualified professional in your area.