by, Kimberley A. Lee, Vice President, CHD Office of Development
Long days and warm evenings. Barbecues on the deck. Road trips for ice cream. Who loves summer as much as I do? Probably you!But too soon, we’ll all need to make the shift from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the more regimented schedule of the school year.
That transition isn’t always easy for children or their parents. I, for one, have thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks of not having to pack lunches, arrange late-day pick ups, or quibble over homework. Those extra 30 minutes of sleep in the morning have been a welcome refresher!
But there’s no stopping September. That’s why I did a little research to help get myself—and my teenagers—ready for the start of a new school year. Here’s what I learned from the folks at Kids Health.
Battle the Butterflies: Starting school for the first time, entering the next grade or going to a different school can create a potentially unsettling situation. Remind your kids that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school—even the teachers! With a little time to adjust, this new experience will become an everyday routine.
Ask and Listen: Ask your kids about what worries them—and then listen. Are they afraid they won’t make new friends or get along with their teachers? Is the thought of schoolwork stressing them out? Are they feeling added pressure this year to make the varsity team or get the lead role in the school play? College search can be especially stressful. Emphasize that you are always there to listen, no matter what concerns them.
Accentuate the Positive: If your child seems anxious, emphasize the positive things about going back to school, such as reconnecting with old friends, meeting new classmates who could become friends, and getting involved in activities like sports, music and clubs. You might even talk about getting cool school supplies!
Make Adjustments: Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the back-to-school transition smoother. It’s especially beneficial that first week for parents to be home at the end of the school day. Of course many working moms and dads don’t have that flexibility, so instead try to arrange your evenings to give your kids as much time as they need, especially during those first few days.
Kids Health also suggests that you can help ease those back-to-school butterflies by beginning the transition to a consistent school-night routine a week or two before school starts. What can you help your kids do?
Get Enough Sleep:Establish a reasonable bedtime so that they’ll be well rested and ready to learn in the morning.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast:Children are more alert and do better in school if they eat a good breakfast every day.
Avoid the Morning Rush: The night before, help them organize and set out what they need for school the next morning. Lay out clothes in their bedrooms, make sure homework and books are in their backpacks, and have backpacks by the door ready to go.
Post the Schedule:Use a wall calendar or personal planner to record due dates for assignments, test dates, dates and times for games, practices or rehearsals, and days when there is an early release or no school.
Write Down Key Info: Help them remember need-to-know details such as their locker combination, when classes and lunch start and end, their homeroom and classroom numbers, and the names of teachers and/or bus drivers.
It’s normal to be anxious in any new situation. In fact, according to my colleague, Janice Mitchell, LICSW, Senior Clinic Director, it’s typical for students and their trusted adult caregivers to experience some anxiety when returning to school. “It is when it becomes excessive and affects their ability to function as can often be manifested in loss of sleep, irritability, loss of appetite, increase in appetite and at times physical symptoms which include stomach pain, tearfulness, and oppositional behaviors that it’s time to have a conversation with your child. Yet, if these symptoms persist, having a conversation with a licensed professional would be an appropriate, helpful next step. It’s also a great idea to reach out ahead of that first school bell to find ways to get involved in your child’ school.Getting involved with your children’s school is another way to safeguard an emotionally positive school experience. Having them see you at school, establishing positive relationships with teachers and other parents, administrators as well. It’s reassuring for children to see you as a parent involved and engaged.”
Back to school jitters are typical, but know that there is support and help available to you through CHD. How are you doing with going back to school? We really do want to know. Call 1-844-CHD-HELP.
All the best for the 2017-18 school year!
