So, this is it - school's back the week after next, and if
you're starting to see some escalating behaviours cropping up in
your child, it might be back-to-school anxiety. Anything from
irritability, bad dreams, clinginess, fighting with siblings,
bedwetting, crying, or temper tantrums can be a sign that your
child is feeling anxious about the upcoming school year.
Transitions can be hard on all kids, from kindergarten through high
school, and the stress they cause can take a toll on parents
too.
I know at our house this week was always a stressful one, where
maintaining equilibrium was our prime goal and challenge.
Even though I haven't had kids in the system for several years now,
I still get a bit ansy at this point in the
summer. Maybe it was more of a throwback to my own
childhood, but saying goodbye to the unstructured, lazy days of
summer and trading them in for homework, early bedtimes and school
lunches always made me a bit sad too.
It's easier to help ease kids back into some school routines if
you start ahead of time. Having bed times fifteen minutes or
half an hour earlier every day for the next week, for example, will
make it less of a problem getting out of bed when the alarm goes
off on the first day of school. Letting kids help with
choosing and making what they will take for school lunch helps them
get back into a healthier eating patterns. For kids on a
balanced day schedule, remember there are two twenty minute
nutrition breaks throughout the day and plan accordingly.
Having a bit of control over what they choose to wear
and letting them pick out their own school supplies such as
backpacks, notebooks, binders, etc. can also be a bit of a "perq"
for going back.
One of my kids was very socially anxious, and a strategy we used
to ease her fears about going back was to "rehearse" what to do and
say in certain situations. We identified
potential problem scenarios, and came up in advance with
suggestions on how to respond. This helped her build up a
repertoire of responses, and helped her confidence.
Other strategies might include drawing a picture or writing a story
about how to handle problem situations.
If your child is worried about being bullied, make sure to let
him know that you are aware of the issue and will help support him
if necessary, and work on some strategies to deal with the
problem. These can include not having your child walk to
school/ home alone, giving the teacher a heads up to potential
problems at the beginning of the year, and rehearsing what to
do/say/who to tell if an incident occurs. Don't try to
minimize the problem or reassure your child that everything will be
just fine - sometimes it isn't and you must be prepared to advocate
for him if it is warranted.
Last but not least, if time permits, throw one last summer blast
to help your kids say goodbye to the season - a trip to the beach,
a picnic in the park, or invite their friends and their parents
over for a barbecue/get together. Enjoy the last few
days, and best of luck to everyone for the year ahead.
