Back to School Prep: Mental Wellness Edition
Nerves AND Excitement- we can have both!
Find strategies to make back to school time easier for everyone.
It is officially back to school season. July literally flew by! Back-to-school prep is usually about supplies, teachers and schedules. This is great but ignores how your child (or you) actually feels about it. For some families this season brings dread rather than excitement.
Summer routines are ending- causing a whole new disruption. Despite how social your child and family were the last few weeks, back to school means re-entry into many layers of social interaction. Along with these changes, we add academic and behavioral pressures, this adds the potential for a big impact.
Check out these strategies to build up the excitement for back to school!
Involve children in low-stakes choices surrounding back to school. Think picking out supplies, planning their first-day outfit or breakfast.
Talk about the good parts of school out loud, not just the schedules and new routines. For example- favorite subjects, previous teachers and yes, even recess.
Reconnect with a friend before day one (text, park meetup) to lower the "who will I sit with" anxiety. Attend any back to school events or meet the teacher that you can!
Practice the routine a few days early (wake time, morning flow) so day one isn't the first trial run. Begin that early bedtime and wake-ups ASAP!
Normalize nerves AND excitement co-existing. “It’s okay to feel both”. “You are sad to be back to school AND excited to see your friends”.
CELEBRATE! We love a sweet treat celebration here, but this could be a favorite dinner or some special family time.
Parents, your own anxiety about the transition can be contagious. Be sure to take care of yourself and find strategies to keep regulated. It IS stressful. Try planning something positive for yourself to celebrate this moment of growth for your child. Most back to school anxiety eases within the first few weeks. If it seems things are not becoming easier, mornings become a fight or your child begins to experience physical symptoms, that is what I’m here for!