As I write this, I’m sitting on the beach in the Dominican Republic, watching the sun set at the end of another amazing day. It’s blissfully quiet and I can actually feel myself slowly relaxing (it always takes me a while). And it got me thinking… so many of us (and our teenagers) underestimate just how powerful real rest is. The GCSE year can feel like a marathon before it’s even begun — coursework deadlines, mocks, revision, exams. But here’s the thing: a well-rested brain is sharper, more focused, and better at retaining information. Downtime isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy. 🛌 Rest resets the brain – Sleep and relaxation strengthen memory and improve problem-solving skills. 🏖 Relaxation reduces stress hormones – Less stress = better emotional regulation (something every GCSE parent will appreciate!). 🎯 Breaks boost motivation – Time away from schoolwork can rekindle your teen’s drive to learn when September rolls around. So whether you’re on a beach somewhere or just enjoying lazy afternoons at home, give yourself — and your teen — permission to slow down. Sleep in. Take long walks. Watch movies. Do things that make you laugh. Because come September, you’ll both be stepping into the GCSE year with more energy, more clarity, and a much stronger mindset. For now, I’m off to build a sandcastle… purely for “stress relief purposes,” of course. 😊

The 6-week school holidays are coming… and we’re all mentally preparing 😅 So tell us — which one of these are you? A) We’ve got a full itinerary, daily planner, and colour-coded snacks. B) Day 1: We’re going to the park. Day 2–42: We’ll figure it out. C) Trying to work full-time while pretending this is ‘quality family time’. D) Let’s be honest — I’m just praying they do some revision at some point. ✅ Like this post if you’ve felt any of the above 💬 Comment your letter (or add your own hilarious version — we love a good laugh!) We’re in this together, folks 🙌And yes, we’ll be dropping some free summer revision tips and resources too — so keep your eyes peeled! 👀