Staying Sane Amidst Back-to-School Chaos
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As the end of summer draws near, you’re probably running around frantically trying to figure out what you need to do to get both yourself and your kids ready for the upcoming school year. Don’t panic—even though this time can be stressful, there are some ways to manage all the worry, fear, anxiety, sadness, and back-to-school jitters.
1) Be prepared and start early. About 2-3 weeks before school starts, begin getting the family back into a typical sleep and wake pattern for the school year. Try to eat on a regular schedule as well. Prepare a “study area” in your home—make sure it is a quiet and comfortable place for the kids to focus on school work.
2) Create a routine. Kids thrive on routines, and many adults do too. If you don’t already have a school year routine, now is the time to put one together. With your kids’ help (if appropriate), write out a colorful weekday schedule and hang it in a common area for everyone to look at each day. Include after school and evening activities as well. As important as routines are, it is also important to be flexible. Unplanned things may come up that can alter the schedule, and that’s okay.
3) Visit the school. Get your child acclimated to the new environment before the first day of school--especially if he is attending a new one. As much as possible, let him explore his new surroundings and encourage him to ask
any questions or express any feelings he may be having. Furthermore, introducing him to any staff member that’s around will help him to automatically feel more connected to everyone on the first day.
4) Go back-to-school shopping. If they’re old enough, you can enlist your children’s help. Have them help you create a list of what’s needed, and at the store, let them choose certain items such as the pattern on a binder, clothes, backpacks, and other fun supplies. This helps them feel more in control and can even boost their self-confidence .
5) Talk to your child about what he may be feeling as the school year approaches. Ask if he has any worries about it, and if so, offer some suggestions on ways he could cope with them. If your child expresses excitement, validate those feelings and be sure to tell him how excited you are for the school year (and why) . Kids model behavior from their parents and this could help him turn his nervous energy into excitement.
Erica S. Gould is a licensed professional counselor at Living Well Dallas (
www.livingwelldallas.com) helping children, teens, and adults achieve happiness and reach their full potential. She can be reached through Living Well Dallas at 972-930-0260 or by email at erica@
livingwelldallas.com
North Texas Kids • August 2011 •
www.NorthTexasKids.com 49
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