Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

5 Tips for Parents and Kids

Going back to school isn’t always fun and games. Figuring out new schedules, following new routines, and traveling back and forth- it takes a lot of balance to get it all right! Having anxiety about the back-to-school season is totally normal, whether you’re a parent or a student. Let’s brainstorm some ways to manage the anxiety together. 

Tip 1: Prepare Early!

If possible, start transitioning back to a school routine as early as possible. Ideally, the week before school starts, you can begin adjusting bedtimes to mimic the school routine and organizing all your school materials. The night before school starts, set out your outfits to ensure things will go smoothly on that first day of school! Plus, it takes 30 days to form a habit, so you might as well get an early start to forming those good school routine habits!

Tip 2: Write Out Schedules

When anxiety is high, it can be easy to forget what you have going on. To manage this better, grab a calendar and start filling in what a typical week looks like once everyone is back at school! Then, it’ll be easier to keep track of all the things on your to-do list. Pro tip: make sure everyone in the house can see it! That way, everyone can be informed about what’s going on throughout the week to ensure good open communication.

Tip 3: Test Run the Routine

This tip may be especially important for first-timers in school. If it’s possible for you, do a drive-by of the school, stop outside and step on the sidewalk, and take a look at the buses. If the school has an orientation or meet-the-teachers event, make sure to attend if you can! This will help ease all anxieties, as now your child knows where to go, who to look for, and what to do. Nothing will come as a shock on the first day!

Tip 4: Talk it Out!

Let’s be honest, no matter how much we plan and prepare for our school schedules, there may still be those anxious jitters and big feelings that just won’t go away. First, remember that this is normal! Then, sit down with your kiddos and ask how they are feeling. Maybe all they need to do is talk through it with a trusted adult who has been through this before. Let them know that it’s okay to feel nervous; remind them to take deep breaths and slow down. These feelings will pass in time.

Tip 5: Take Time to Reflect, and Be Flexible

After that first day or week of school is over, sit down with your kiddos. Ask them what went well, and what they think should be different about their routine to make things easier. Not only does this make them feel like they have agency over their choices, but it’ll also remind them that they don’t have to handle it all alone and that you are there to help them.

Whether it’s your first time doing the back-to-school routines or your last, having a bit of anxiety is normal. Hopefully these tips will help manage the nerves as you and your kiddos prepare for the new year ahead. Best of luck to parents, caregivers, and children as we begin this new school year!

Do you have any back-to-school tips of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments of our Facebook and Instagram posts!