September is approaching, and that means a lot of people will be back to school, but with that for many comes back to school anxiety. Read ahead for our tips on how to deal with this.
3 Tips for dealing with back to school anxiety
September is just around the corner and in the blink of an eye you’ll be packing your children back off to school for the start of term. Undoubtedly, many will be running through the school gates without so much as looking back at you. For others, the thought of returning to school fills them with dread. Here are some handy tips for dealing with your child’s back to school anxiety.
1. Read together
Who doesn’t love story time? Instead of reaching for the same book you’ve read with your child over and over again, consider picking a story that deals with some of the problems or worries your child is having. A lot of children’s literature covers topics such as anxiety and explores ways to cope. Use these stories as a starting point for a conversation about your child’s own feelings and brainstorm coping strategies that they could use, just like characters from the books you read together.
2. Take a breath
Children are like sponges and sometimes a parent’s worries can transmit to a child. If you, too, are anxious about your child going to school then it may well be that their behaviours will mirror yours. In an attempt to quell your own anxieties, as well as equipping your child with coping mechanisms, try practising mindful breathing. When you’re concentrating on how you’re breathing, it stops your mind from focussing on the very thing you were becoming anxious about.
A quick google can point you in the right direction of a number of breathing exercises that are suitable for the whole family. But my favourite, and perhaps the easiest, is taking a deep breath in for 4 seconds, holding it for another 4 and then breathing out for 4 seconds. The great thing about mindful breathing is that you can do it absolutely anywhere – and nobody else needs to know! Give it a try!
3. Add getting ready for school to your bedtime routine
Of course I’m not suggesting that you forgo the pyjamas and just send your child to bed wearing their school uniform! But encouraging and helping your child to get organised for school before going to bed can help to keep some of the morning anxiety at bay. We all know that mornings can be fraught in a rush to get out of the door – so having a clean uniform out and ready to put on, shoes by the door, bag packed and lunch already prepared can alleviate some of the stress.
While getting ready the night before, encourage your child to talk about the day ahead of them. Speak to them about what they’ll be doing at school, who they’ll be spending break and lunch with and even what plans you have for after school. Find out how they’re feeling about the things you talk about. Are they excited to see their friends? Worried about maths? A problem shared is a problem halved!
As much as possible, be consistent with your approach. Stick to well-established routines and try to provide a calm environment both the night before going back to school and that first morning. Your child will have settled right in before you know it!
For tips for a better sleep, click here!
Looking for how to update your wardrobe on a budget before school/work starts again? Read our suggestions here!
