Real Moms, Real Solutions: How Do I Help My Kids Deal With Back to School Nerves?
The books, binders, and backpacks are ready to go, but what about your child? Is he or she all set, or is back to school anxiety beginning to set-in? Today we’re talking about easy ways to ease those dreaded back to school jitters!
The Keys to Calming Back to School Jitters!
Anticipation! Those butterflies in my stomach have set in. My kids are beginning to get nervous about the first day of school. Will they like their teacher? Will they be able to find everything? Will they have friends in their class? The questions keep coming. I think a majority of children (and lots of us parents) go through this as the school year approaches.
When it comes to understanding your child’s back to school anxiety try to put yourself in the mindset of him of her. We like to liken it to starting a new job for adults… sure it’s exciting! But it’s also nerve-wracking and laden with uncertainties and unanswered questions. This is the equivalent to the back to school season for some of your little ones.
What are some ways we can help our little ones deal with the stresses they might be feeling about the unknowns coming up?
How To Help Your Little Ones Cope
Be supportive of your child. Listen to their concerns and try to talk to them about how being nervous is normal and okay. Having a time to just sit down and talk helps to ease some of what they are feeling and to remind them that you are here loving and supporting them.
Never underestimate the power of a good book, so try to pick out a story with a back to school theme like, The Berenstain Bears Go To School. This classic children’s book has a positive back to school message in a format your children will be able to absorb.
Find some books in the library or online about starting school. Reading a story about a character in a book who is having the same anxieties can ease some children’s nervousness. One classic my kids love is The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain. It shows how Sister Bear has all of the same symptoms, but then ends up having a great first day of school!
Having a buddy to ride the bus with or to walk to the classroom with is very helpful. The idea that someone is there with them can be very comforting. You can ask around your neighborhood or contact the school to see if there is someone your child can buddy up with, especially for the first week of school while they acclimate.
Sometimes your back-to-schooler just needs to know that they are not alone in a sea of other students. This is when a back to school buddy can come in handy!
Go to visit the school, look around, and meet the teacher. When I was a teacher, it took me at least a week to set up my classroom before the students arrived. I was always happy to say hello to any student who wanted to pop in and meet me before the first day. Just call ahead because teachers have LOTS of meetings that week before school, as well.
A trick I sometimes recommended for smaller children is to place a laminated picture of your family in their backpack or pocket so they can take a peek. Sometimes the visual reminder is a soothing technique.
Finally, remember that this, too shall pass. Your kids (and you) will soon settle into the new routine and everything will become familiar. Think of all of the fun and learning they will experience this year!
Meet The Bella Behind the Blog: Kristen Farley is a mother of three and a domestic goddess. She is a former teacher who enjoys spending lots of time with her kids, healthy eating, volunteering at school, and mommy blogging for the masses.
Be on the lookout for more of Kristen’s expert advice in our “Real Moms, Real Solutions” series!
