Back-to-School Prep: Mental Health Edition
Even though we are just reaching the halfway point of summer, many families are already beginning to look ahead to the upcoming school year. For some, this brings excitement and anticipation. For others, it may instigate some fear or dread. Regardless of your family’s current outlook, it’s not too early to begin preparing for the changes ahead! As you begin reviewing supply lists and planning back-to-school schedules, don’t forget to make space for the mental and emotional needs that may arise in this season. Today we will walk through what it looks like to Normalize, Notice, and Navigate the emotions and adjustments associated with the return to school.
NORMALIZE
Sometimes we all need a little reassurance. Kids are used to hearing that they should be excited for big changes, but are you also making space for their nervousness or sadness? Bring these potential emotions into casual conversation and model coping for your kids. When they mentioned their own fears, avoid the impulsive response of “you’ll be fine!” and instead create space for them to describe their emotions and reframe them on their own. Be honest about your own worries in age-appropriate ways and invite your kids into problem-solving.
For instance, if you have a kiddo starting a new school this year and the schedule will be different, acknowledge that this is a big change for the family. If possible, invite them into the decisions around transportation and timing. If those decisions are too complex or not flexible, you can initiate discussion about what might help them feel most comfortable with the change. Maybe a comfort item from home or a special playlist for the drive to school could ease the transition. These conversations will not only make space for your kids to feel validated and included, they can also preempt some of the conflicts that tend to arise in new and stressful situations.
NOTICE
Outside of the usual worries associated with change, some kids might struggle a little more as the return to school nears. If they thrive in the freedom of summer, the idea of structure might bring up negative emotions. Kids who have a harder time socially or academically may start to feel the pressure of the upcoming school year more than others.
Some signs to look out for in your family are changes in sleep or appetite, increased clinginess or irritability, and physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches) with no clear cause. In younger kids, regressive behaviors might indicate anxiety as well. If you notice your kiddo is acting out of character, they might need a little extra prompting and space to have the kind of normalizing conversations discussed above. If they are not already in mental health therapy, this could also be a great time to initiate services to provide extra support through the transition.
NAVIGATE
Whether your kids are filled with excitement or dread, there are a few tools that will help any family navigate the transition back to school with a bit more ease. If you haven’t already, begin gradually reintroducing routines around sleeping and mealtimes. Especially if your kids respond well to visual cues, write out their daily schedule and hang it somewhere they can reference in the home to keep it fresh in their mind. Emphasize time spent reading and engaging in screen-free activities to warm kids’ attention spans back up for focusing in class.
Continue supporting open discussion about the positive and negative emotions that arise for your kids. Provide tools such as journal prompts, and help them make lists of the strengths they carry with them into the school year. Review self-regulation strategies like triangle breathing and butterfly tapping for moments of bigger feelings. If your kiddo is in therapy, ask their provider for tools to use at home, and if they aren’t, consider if this would be a good time to begin seeing a counselor.
The transition into a new school year starts long before the first bell rings. By spending the rest of summer normalizing this experience, noticing signs of struggle, and navigating with healthy skills, you can set your family up for a successful adjustment. If you or a family member could use extra support in this busy season, our team at Cascade Counseling & Wellness is here for you.
Thank you to Alexa for sharing these important tips!
Alexa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor at Cascade Counseling and Wellness.