More than half of parents of children under 18 identify the back-to-school season as the most stressful time of the year, according to an Understood.org study.
It’s natural for children, and even parents, to experience back-to-school jitters. Concerns can run from the commonplace, such as worries about making new friends or academic stress, to the more substantial, including fears of bullying or school shootings. Add in alarm clocks, deadlines, homework, backpacks and budget woes, and it’s easy to see how back-to-school time can be fraught with stress.
But, keep in mind, this time of year is also a prime opportunity for a “routine reset” to improve family communication, boost well-being and set a course for a smooth school year. Here are recommendations to make the most of this time of year:
Be Strict with Sleep.
Science solidly supports that adequate sleep will help kids succeed in school. Set a reasonable bedtime and enforce it. Consider making bedrooms a “device-free zone” at bedtime so kids aren’t distracted by texts from friends or secretly scrolling into the late night. This is good advice for any age, so parents, consider modeling good sleep hygiene yourselves.
Get into a Routine…Now!
As summer vacation starts to wane, ease into the school routine with “dry runs” to prepare your family for the “school time hustle.” Set a school year bed time and set morning alarms. Stock up on quick nutritional breakfast items, pack your lunches and keep an eye on the clock so that you’ll be accustomed to making it to school on time.
Build & Connect with Community.
Kids who feel supported and have a strong sense of community are more likely to succeed. Encourage kids to reconnect with classmates before the new school year starts. Parents, if it’s age appropriate, make the first friendship move. Today’s digital generation can be more anxious about initiating communication so lead the way by reaching out to other parents to get kids together for a park outing in advance of the first day of school.
Regularly Spend Quality Time Together.
Figure out ways to frequently spend quality time with your child. Many kids are more likely to open up more when engaged in an activity, like shooting hoops or a post dinner walk or bike ride. Make this part of your routine and use the time together to ask questions and find out what’s important to your child. These small moments can lead to big breakthroughs and may be the moments you cherish most.
Be Their “Safe Space.”
Along with friendships, and learning, school can bring disappointments and struggles. It’s all part of the natural evolution from child to adult. Expect some “bumps” for your child and strive to be a calm, safe place for them to turn when faced with inevitable issues. More than anything, listen. Parents are natural “fixers” but with routine growing pains, resist the urge to give solutions and instead, help them work through problems to find their own answers, as long as issues are age appropriate and not of a more serious nature..
Know When to Intervene or Seek Guidance.
Be on alert for serious issues that require adult intervention. Understand and utilize the resources at school that support kids, such as a counselor’s office or peer support group. If kids open up about serious matters and you’re not sure where to turn, consider TherapyDirect to talk through how you can respond. WellPower’s TherapyDirect allows you to immediately connect online with a professional counselor. Note, this service is for adults, not children. With meaningful intention and a few schedule tweaks, the back-to-school jitters can be transformed into a blueprint for school year success. However, If your child isn’t settling into a routine as the new school year progresses, consider seeking more support. Once again, your school’s counseling office or TherapyDirect are ideal places to get started. You can also learn about accessing our Child + Family Services, by visiting: wellpower.org/child-family-services.
We wish you a safe and healthy 2024/2025 school year.