By Matteo Dal Monte
Back-to-school time can bring out all sorts of emotions in both kids and parents. While some are excited about a fresh start, others may feel anxious and stressed about heading back to the classroom. This anxiety can sometimes cause kids to act out or struggle at school. To help ease the transition into the new school year, here are four practical tips you can use:
1. Manage Your Own Stress First
Parents feel the pressure of back-to-school too! It’s completely normal to worry about your child’s adjustment to a new environment, concerns about safety, bullying, peer pressure, or even memories of your own school experiences. But if we don’t deal with our own stress, we might unknowingly pass it on to our kids.
To keep your stress in check:
Recognize what’s causing your back-to-school worries.
Practice self-care habits like deep breathing, mindfulness, and setting boundaries around your time and commitments.
Keep communication open with your child’s teachers.
When you take care of your own stress, you’re better equipped to support your child without adding to their anxiety. If your worries start to feel overwhelming and affect your child, consider talking to a mental health professional.
2. Get the School Staff Involved
If you know your child struggles with back-to-school anxiety, it can really help to talk to their teacher or school staff ahead of time. Letting them know your child might need extra support can make a big difference.
Here are a few ways to make the transition easier:
Introduce your child to their teacher before school starts.
Take a walk around the school together to find classrooms and places where your child can go for support. Practice moving from one spot to another while it’s quiet.
Coordinate with a teacher, counselor, or school buddy to meet your child during drop-offs and pickups. Establishing a warm handoff, where a trusted adult helps your child transition into the school day with a simple activity, can help ease their anxiety.
3. Watch for Warning Signs
For most kids, back-to-school anxiety fades after the first couple of months as they get used to the routine and make new friends. But if your child’s anxiety sticks around or gets worse, it might be time to seek professional help.
Here’s what to look for:
Morning tantrums when it’s time to separate from you.
Complaints of headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or feeling sick before or during school. If these symptoms show up, it’s important to have your child checked by a doctor to rule out any medical issues. If there’s no medical concern, it might be time to talk to a mental health professional.
For older kids, skipping school or pretending to be sick even after being dropped off.
It’s important to keep sending your child to school, even if they’re showing these signs. We don’t want them to learn that they can avoid things that make them nervous by using these behaviors.
4. Practice Active Listening
When kids talk about their anxiety or act out because of it, they’re often looking for someone to understand and validate their feelings. As a parent, you can help by using active listening skills to show that you’re paying attention and care about what they’re going through.
Here’s how:
Turn your body toward your child and keep an open, relaxed posture.
Make eye contact.
Use subtle cues like nodding, facial expressions, or simple affirmations like “Oh wow” or “Hmm” to show you’re listening.
Remember, behavior is a form of communication. When your child shows signs of anxiety, stay curious and gently ask open-ended questions. Avoid questions that assume they’re anxious, like “Are you worried about math class?” Instead, you can use statements like “That makes sense, I can see why you’d feel that way” to acknowledge their feelings.
When you notice your child starting to feel more confident about school, praise them for their growth. And remember, sometimes kids just need to vent—it’s okay to let them express their frustrations without trying to fix everything.
By creating a safe space for open dialogue and validating your child’s feelings, you’re letting them know they’re not alone while also building their confidence to handle tough situations.
Take the First Step Toward a Smooth School Year!
If you're feeling overwhelmed by back-to-school anxiety, you're not alone. Start by trying out some of these tips today, and see the difference it can make for both you and your child. If you find that you need more support, we're here to help.
Call our office today at 801-990-4300 to schedule an appointment with one of our mental health professionals. Together, we can create a plan to help your child (and you) navigate the school year with confidence.
Let’s make this school year the best one yet!
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