Children tend to get a little anxious about going back to school. Others are anxious about their first day ever at school. And there will be signs that your child is stressed about this. Naturally, this will make you just as stressed and nervous. So, how can you help your child? And how can we, as parents, deal with back to school stress? Here you will find some useful tips to do so!
First of all, it is very normal to have fears, to be stressed and anxious about going to school. Whether for kids or their parents. It is an emotional time, especially if this is the first day of school ever for your little one. Therefore, we did our research to help you deal with back to school stress as a parent.
How to deal with back to school stress?
1| Listen to your child’s feelings and accept them.
Never take your child’s emotions and feelings easily. Encourage your children to express their emotions and fears. Sometimes, this is all it takes to overcome school stress. When you listen to your children, they will feel safe, heard, and understood. And this is the first step to overcome any fear. In addition, if you feel you cannot help your child fully, you might want to seek help. Some mums might think that will make them bad parents. But eventually you are trying to help your child, so that makes you a great parent.
2| Talk about back to school stress, and reassure your child.
It is important to talk about going back to school with your child. This will allow you to discuss their fears and reassure them that it is not as scary as it might seem. You can calm your children and turn their fears into excitement with these conversations. In order to have a smooth and clear conversation, you must understand that those feelings are normal. Your child might be facing separation anxiety, so you need to address this. After all, this will help them greatly with their emotional development.
Also, keep in mind that this is just a phase. A week or two after school starts, your child will pass this phase easily.
3| Visit the school with your child.
We fear what is unknown. This applies to both adults and kids alike. Not knowing where they are going is what triggers going to school stress. This happens especially with little one’s who have never been in a school before. So, plan a visit with your kid to school before it all starts. Take a ride to it, tour the school together, and visit your kids’ classrooms. This will make them super excited and ready to go to school.
4| Follow your child’s schedule, in and out of school.
Another tip to ease going to school for your kids is to pick them up after school the first day. Therefore, you must assure your children that you will be there. This will help them ease their separation anxiety. After touring the school, go to the pick up point and let your child know that you will be here waiting for him or her. In case you can’t do so, talk about how they will get home. Discussing this with them will relieve them greatly.
5| Connect with the teachers.
Starting a new school year means new teachers and new faces. Children often worry about not liking their teachers. If your children are feeling this way, try to meet their teachers together before starting school. Let your children introduce themselves and talk to them. This will break the ice and prepare them for going to classes. And most importantly, encourage your little ones to participate in class with their teachers. Moreover, be there in the first parent teacher meeting. This will keep you in the loop when your child talks about his or her teachers.
6| Discuss all kinds of situations and how to deal with them.
There are many common fears that children have when going to school. Such as getting lost, or not making friends. Explain to your kids that it is fine to ask teachers or grown ups within the school for anything they need. Reassure them that teachers and school administrators are there to help them.
As for making friends, encourage your kids to talk to their peers, to introduce themselves, and to play all together. Also, get them excited about group activities, and encourage them to always participate in them.
What matters the most, is to always keep the conversation going day after day. This way you will be included in your child’s school life. And you will be able to help them in any unexpected situations they might face.
7| Share your own feelings and emotions.
The last tip to deal with parents back to school stress is to share their emotions, feelings, and worries with the right people. Such as fellow parents, teachers, or family members who are going through the same phase. This will reduce your stress and fears, and it will help you think positively.
Finally, never hesitate to seek help from a specialist. Especially if things get overwhelming and you can’t handle it all on your own.
