This may be an especially challenging year to send your kids back to school, from kindergarten and elementary school all the way up to high school and college. Your child may be dealing with the effects of…well…2020. But regardless, back to school anxiety is a very valid issue, and we want to give you some tips to make the transition smoother!
Tip #1: Go with the flow
I know. Easier said than done. But a big cause of stress and anxiety is unmet expectations. When something doesn’t go the way you or your child thought or wanted it to, it’s taxing. So when plans change, rules are adjusted, or when things go south, remember... You can’t change what has already happened, so spend less energy wishing the past could be different and more time figuring out how to move forward. Oftentimes, it matters less what the end result and more how you get there.
Tip #2: Be an example
Your child is watching you. They are emulating you, whether consciously or not. So consider what you want your child’s school experience to be and consider how you could model behaviors and mindsets that would help them get there. If you want your child to be engaged in their schoolwork, rather than complaining and avoiding helping them with their homework, show you child that it’s something you care about and are dedicated to assisting them with.
Tip #3: Celebrate success; make it exciting
Learning is so cool. Don’t you love gaining new information and adding new tools to your toolbox? Help your child feel enthusiastic about the things they’re learning. Celebrate all of their efforts in whatever ways you find fitting. Rather than asking for a report of their day, get CURIOUS about their day. Help your child desire their education.
These tips can help anyone, but of course back-to-school anxiety can be more complicated than these three aspects. When you or your child needs a little more help handling it, contact us. Our therapist, Julie, has worked with so many children and can help your child manage their anxiety and engage meaningfully in school.