Handling Back-To-School Emotions: Lessons for Parents and Kids

With the ring of the inaugural bell comes a flood of emotions related to a new school year. Excitement and anxiety may seem like polar opposites, but in reality they often occur simultaneously. These are some of the steps you can take now to help smooth the transition and reduce stress for the months ahead.

Establish a Daily RoutineThe morning routine should actually start the night before. Having a set bedtime that ensures your child will be well rested is key. In addition, kids should have their clothes chosen and set out, and their backpacks loaded with everything they need to walk out the door. Scrambling around at the last minute understandably increases stress levels, so taking proactive steps will produce a more positive mental state.

Involve Your KidsNo matter their age, children should help make decisions and take responsibility for certain tasks related to being ready for school. Talk with them about how being a year older means they may be ready to do more things, like fix their own lunch or set an alarm to wake themselves up. Ask them what they have liked or disliked in previous school years and what they might want to do differently.

Listen to Your KidsYou may realize that certain concerns are relatively trivial and will soon be resolved, but it is important not to minimize your children’s feelings. Showing empathy will not exacerbate unfounded feelings; on the contrary it should help them feel more comfortable talking to you about what they are experiencing. Academic, social and extracurricular pressures can be significant, and you may be able to help them develop healthy coping and time-management skills.

Recognize IndividualityChildren grow and develop at different rates, both physically and mentally. Don’t compare your child to others who may have developed skills or milestones by a certain age. Instead, remind your children of their strengths, talents and attributes, helping them build self-esteem and confidence to face challenges.Establishing a routine and discussing the positive and negative emotions associated with going back to school can be very beneficial, both to you and to your children. If you would like to talk with a licensed professional counselor about individual or family issues, CALL TODAY to schedule an appointment!

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