How parents can ease back-to-school anxiety
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — As families prepare for the first day of school, Norton Children’s psychologist Dr. Katy Hopkins says parents can ease back-to-school anxiety by discussing new schedules, involving children in preparations and helping them understand what to expect.
New teachers, unfamiliar routines and the return to a structured schedule can create stress, particularly after a more relaxed summer. Hopkins said parents can begin preparing children before classes resume by talking through changes to their daily routines.
Even back-to-school shopping can provide a natural opportunity to begin those conversations.
“Most kids really enjoy things like back-to-school shopping,” Hopkins said. “So, as you’re going back-to-school shopping and getting all those new class materials, you can start to talk about what to expect, what the schedule is going to look like, when they have to get up, when they have to go to bed. And so, those kind of routines, talking about those routines as you get ready for them, is a great way to ease into that school year.”
Discussing wake-up times, bedtimes and other changes ahead of time can help make the transition feel more predictable.
Hopkins said parents should not necessarily be alarmed by mild anxiety at the beginning of the school year. Worry is a normal emotion that can motivate children to plan, prepare and pay attention as they return to the classroom.
Parents should pay closer attention, however, when anxiety begins interfering with a child’s sleep, mood or ability to attend school.
“When you really want to start kind of being concerned, more concerned, is if they’re having trouble sleeping beyond the first week of school, if they are more tearful or irritable or, of course, expressing worry to you, if they’re having trouble getting out the door or out of the car in the morning,” Hopkins said. “Of course, those might be a sign that you want to check in with them a little bit more.”
Hopkins recommends seeking advice from a pediatrician or mental health professional if sleep problems, irritability, tearfulness or repeated reluctance to attend school continues for more than a month.
Parents should consider seeking advice from a pediatrician or mental health professional if sleep problems, irritability, tearfulness or repeated reluctance to attend school continues for more than a month.
