Whether you as a parent have been counting down the days until summer is over, or as a kid wishing the start of school away forever, summer is slowly winding down for all. Parents, teachers, and students will be using the next couple of weeks to find a new normal and a new routine. This can include new wake and sleep times, a new routine getting ready for school, and sometimes an entirely new school; all of which take time to plan and prepare for.
The back-to-school feeling can be exciting yet also filled with anxiety. Stressors of the new school year can linger over both students and parents, leaving concerns about academic achievements, making friends, separation anxiety, or feeling prepared in the classroom.
To ease some of the anxiety that comes with the new school year, kids and their parents can implement the following tips and tricks to a better year:
- Clearly spell out the expectations for the school year early on, and begin to practice these ahead of time. It is one thing to say “Summer is over, bedtime is at 8:00” and another to implement these sudden changes. Drastic changes in a summer routine, or lack thereof, will cause more anxiety and hardship before the big day, so work on implementing these changes gradually. This can also include practicing the child’s independence with getting dressed on their own, planning an outfit the night before, and having their backpack and shoes readily available to head out the door. Both parents and kids prefer not to start the day off on the wrong foot, especially before a lengthy period of time when they will not be together. By planning ahead and preparing for these changes, the morning routine will become smoother for all.
- Parents can work on instilling confidence in their children and building their self-esteem prior to the start of school. This can be done through encouragement, discussions, and helping them research more about their strengths. By learning about our children’s interests, motivators, and learning styles, we can better understand our children and their behavior.
- Talk to your children and teens! By discussing any issues they are having, whether it be anxiety-related or any other mental health topics, being a safe and supportive person in their lives allows for them to head into the school year with that weight off their shoulders. Regular conversations surrounding mental health can reduce risk behaviors and increase positive experiences and responses. Acknowledging your child’s concerns and fears relating to school increases their confidence in themselves and increases their abilities to problem-solve.
Both children and parents can experience anxiety related to the start of the school year. We have a group of professional counselors here at Arbor Family Counseling willing to help. The session can be child, adult, or family-focused. Arbor Family Counseling partners with many surrounding school districts providing free sessions for students and family members – check in with your child’s school district today! To schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 402-330-0960 or at arborfamilycounseling.com
For additional information on Arbor’s services and to hear more from our counselors, please tune into our podcast ‘Talks with Trivium’.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/back-to-school/index.htm