By Natalie Fitts, Licensed Professional Counseling Intern
The start of a new school year can be an exciting time, but it can also bring up a lot of stress for both children and parents. New routines, unfamiliar teachers, academic expectations, and social pressures all combine to create a perfect storm of anxiety for many kids. As parents, you can play a vital role in helping your children manage their stress in healthy and productive ways.
Here are some strategies to help your child transition smoothly into the school year:
1. Create a Consistent Routine
Kids thrive on structure, and having a predictable routine can help reduce anxiety. Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine to ensure that your child gets enough sleep and is well-rested for school. A healthy breakfast and some downtime before heading out the door can also make a big difference in starting the day right.
Tip: Involve your child in creating a visual schedule, so they feel more in control and know what to expect each day.
2. Acknowledge Their Feelings
Many kids experience anxiety, worry, or fear during the back-to-school transition. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings rather than dismiss them. Listen to your child’s concerns without rushing to fix them right away.
Tip: Try saying, “It sounds like you’re feeling nervous about starting school. That’s completely normal, and I’m here to help you through it.” This validation helps them feel heard and understood.
3. Encourage Problem-Solving
When stress arises, it can be tempting to jump in and solve all your child’s problems. However, encouraging them to come up with their own solutions helps build confidence and resilience. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think might help you feel less nervous before class?” or “How can we work together to make homework time less stressful?”
Tip: Brainstorm a list of calming activities or coping strategies together, such as deep breathing, taking breaks, or practicing mindfulness.
4. Limit Over-Scheduling
While extracurricular activities are important for personal growth, too many commitments can overwhelm a child. Take a close look at your child’s schedule and be mindful of their need for downtime to relax and recharge. Sometimes, less is more.
Tip: Build in family time and moments of unstructured play. This allows kids to de-stress and be present in the moment.
5. Teach Relaxation Techniques
Teaching kids simple relaxation techniques can equip them with valuable tools to manage stress throughout the school year. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or even visualization can help calm anxious feelings.
Tip: Practice these techniques together before bedtime or during moments of calm. That way, when stress strikes, they’ll know how to access these strategies independently.
6. Be Mindful of Your Own Stress
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your child’s school year, your worries may trickle down to them. Practice self-care, model healthy stress management, and show your child that it’s okay to take a step back and recharge.
Tip: Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you unwind. This sends the message that taking care of yourself is important and that stress is something everyone deals with from time to time.
7. Communicate with Teachers and School Staff
If you notice that your child’s stress is persisting or seems to be getting worse, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teachers or school counselors. Educators often have insight into how your child is adjusting in the classroom and can work with you to provide additional support.
Tip: Establish open lines of communication with your child’s school early on. Regular check-ins can help catch potential issues before they become larger problems.
Helping your child manage back-to-school stress is all about finding balance. By creating a stable routine, validating their feelings, and giving them the tools they need to cope, you’re setting them up for a successful school year.
If you’re concerned that your child’s stress may be more than just back-to-school jitters, feel free to reach out. I’m here to support both you and your child in navigating these challenges.
Natalie Fitts, LPC Intern
Call or text Natalie at 913.730.7147, or send her an email at natalie@thaliatherapy.com to schedule. Natalie has weekday, evening, and weekend availability and offers sliding scale pricing.
Natalie is a Master’s degree level counselor in a clinical internship through Seattle University where she is pursuing a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With her unique background in journalism and law, she brings a wealth of experience in understanding complex human stories to the field of mental health. She has used her experience to hone the ability to listen empathetically, ask insightful questions, and uncover the deeper narratives within people’s experiences.
Natalie approaches therapy with curiosity and the belief that every person deserves to live a life of joy, hope, and growth. She is focused on creating a safe, compassionate space for clients to explore their emotions, heal, and build a meaningful life. She is committed to helping clients move from surviving to thriving. She employs evidence-based practices tailored to each client’s unique needs. These include interventions from DBT, CBT, somatic therapy, existential therapy, Gottman, Gestalt, and Jungian (analytical) psychology.
Natalie provides individual and relationship therapy to children (ages 6+), teens, adults, couples, and families. She enjoys working with attachment issues, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, codependency, and sexual and relationship issues.
留言