3 Ways to Help Your Child Overcome Back-to-School Anxiety

Posted by Robert Rubinow, M.A., LPC on Aug 17, 2017 6:30:00 PM

With just a few short weeks to the first day of school we realize that new beginnings can elicit higher levels of stress and anxiety for children and their families. The unknowns of a new school, new teachers, new classes, and new friendships can release a flurry of anxious butterflies, especially in younger kids. Here are some ideas to help reduce family stress and encourage your youngsters as they transition from relaxed summertime routines to anxieties about a new academic year.

1. Pursue peacefulness

In the swirl of activity preparing for the new school year, impatience and anxiety can hover over us like a cloud and steal our sense of peace as we try to accomplish the myriad tasks that feel so overwhelming—especially when youth are slow to respond to the day’s instructions. It can be tempting to snap back at our kids rather than respond calmly.peaceful-moments | Veritas Collegiate Academy

Before this occurs, remember that the Lord has called you and your family his beloved, and he is leading your youth toward his heart of love, not driving them. Purpose in your heart to let his peace permeate your relationships with your family, rather than irritation and anxiety. The Lord knows what you need, and is present with you to strengthen you and lift you up. Determine not to let distractions and stressors such as aggravation, pettiness, exhaustion, and family chaos interfere by taking regular times during the day to breathe deeply, pray (even as you go), reset, and offer up your cares to the Lord.

2. Pay attention to feelings

Check in regularly with your kids’ feelings about the new school year and pay special attention when negative emotions are expressed as they learn to adjust to new routines, teachers, and classes. Encourage your offspring to talk with you, and reassure them that you care about what they are going through. Help them identify the specific nature of their fears or worries, and come up with positive ways to cope with change. Be mindful there may be some sadness and feelings of loss related to change, and listen with empathy to validate, not fix, their feelings.

Bear in mind that, developmentally, teenagers don’t readily share their feelings with parents. Accept this as normal, but stay present to them for times they do want to talk. Young children use play to express themselves, not usually words. Be attentive to non-verbal communication (e.g., facial expressions, mood, body language and posture, energy levels, negative behavior, etc.) as a way of staying clued in with their emotions from day to day.

3. Positive BUTTERFLIES overcome Negative ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)

Kids are highly resilient, so with patience, prayer, and a positive outlook, they can be redirected toward school-tour | Veritas Collegiate Academyan attitude of confidence as they adjust to a new school year and new adventures. We know that some stress is healthy and necessary for growth in mind, body and spirit. Experiencing the flutter of a few nervous “butterflies” can be reason for anticipation and excitement, and can defeat the “Automatic Negative Thoughts” that challenge kids who are reluctant to embrace change.  

Be excited about your child’s new school or classroom. Take your children to the summer open houses and school tours so that they can meet a caring and friendly staff who is there to help make the transition as smooth as possible for all. If you look forward to an exciting new year at a new campus or with new teachers, so will your children; they will take their cues from you regarding going back-to-school. Be peaceful, fixate on the positive, and allow your children to see you overcome your own ANTs with a smile and proactive attitude.

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Topics: summer, back-to-school