Free online parent webinar

Support for parents navigating school avoidance

A calm, practical online session for parents navigating school avoidance, anxiety, overwhelm, friendship issues, low confidence, or a sudden loss of motivation.

Tuesday 15 September 2026
8:00pm NZST · Live online via Zoom

Reserve my place

When school starts to feel like a daily battle

For many families, school avoidance does not happen overnight. It can begin with anxiety, overwhelm, friendship difficulties, low confidence, stress, or a teenager who no longer feels able to face the school day.

You may be trying to work out whether to encourage, push, give space, seek help, or simply keep the peace at home. It can feel isolating when you do not know what is happening beneath the surface.

This session is a chance to pause, better understand what may be going on, and explore supportive ways forward.

What we will explore together

A girl sits on the floor with her head down and arms crossed over her knees, appearing distressed. Behind her, a wall has words related to mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, fear, loneliness, overthinking, and self-doubt, along with doodles and a low battery icon. Next to her are stacked books on mental health, with a note that says, "It's ok to not be ok." In the background, a group of people is standing and talking, with social media notifications floating over the scene.

  1. Why school avoidance is increasing
    Why more teenagers are finding school difficult to face.

  2. Anxiety, stress and overwhelm
    The role these can play in attendance, motivation and behaviour.

  3. What may be beneath the surface
    Looking beyond refusal or withdrawal to better understand what your teen may be experiencing.

  4. Practical ways to respond
    Supportive ideas that can help reduce pressure and build trust.

  5. Strengthening connection at home
    Ways to reduce conflict and create more open communication

A supportive starting point for parents

A young girl with long, wavy brown hair sitting on concrete steps, wearing a colorful floral shirt, ripped jeans, and a purple backpack.

This is not about having all the answers or fixing everything in one evening.

It is an opportunity to gain perspective, practical ideas and a little more confidence about how to support your teenager through a difficult time.

You will leave with a clearer understanding of school avoidance, ideas you can begin using at home, and reassurance that you are not alone in navigating this.

This session may be helpful if your teen is:

  • Finding mornings and getting to school increasingly difficult

  • Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, withdrawn or low in confidence

  • Struggling with friendships, social pressure or school expectations

  • Losing motivation or refusing school altogether

  • Causing growing tension or conflict around school at home

Whether this has been building for a while or has only recently started, you are welcome to join.

Three young women sitting on a rock outdoors, smiling and pointing to the right, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Hosted by Nichole, founder of Joyful

I’m Nichole, a local mum and the founder of Joyful.

Through my work supporting teen girls and families, I see how challenging it can be when a young person is struggling emotionally and school begins to feel overwhelming.

My approach is warm, relatable and practical. This session is designed to give parents a space to better understand what may be happening, explore supportive ideas, and feel less alone in the process.

Based locally on the North Shore, Auckland, supporting girls and families in our community.

Nichole’s background includes study in child and adolescent development, psychology, cognitive therapy, and mental health.

A woman with pink hair wearing a blue cap and black t-shirt taking a selfie with her dog outdoors.
A black and white photo of two women, one child and one adult, close together, smiling gently at the camera. The adult is wearing large glasses and a nose ring, with slicked-back hair and a casual T-shirt. The child is wearing a dark jacket with a shiny finish and has light-colored hair.

  • "We’ve seen such a positive change in our child since working with Nix. She has an incredibly calm, level-headed approach that immediately puts both children and parents at ease. Nix techniques are practical, thoughtful, and genuinely connect with kids in a way that makes them feel understood and supported. The difference she’s made to our child’s confidence and wellbeing has been huge, and we’re so immensely grateful for Nix’s guidance."

    —Rachel

Reserve your free place

Join the live online parent session on Tuesday 15 September at 8:00pm NZST.

You do not have to work this out alone.

Join this free online session for practical support, fresh perspective and a little more hope for the road ahead.