Therapy in Chester, NJ
As summer wraps up, end-of-summer-sadness begin to kick in.and kids may start to have some anxiety since starting school again is just around the corner. Going back to school can be a rough transition after they've enjoyed a carefree, fun-filled summer. After all of that enjoyment and freedom, it is understandable that they would have some stress and anxiety knowing that what's coming is homework and earlier bedtimes. A rough, stress-inducing time for kids typically can mean a rough, stress-inducing time for parents, so here are some ways to ease this transition for everyone:
- Keep certain summer routines/traditions for as long as you can and the weather permits. For example, if you've been eating dinner in the backyard and the kids loved to run around outside playing, you can keep this going for a bit--it will help eliminate their association between summer ending with fun ending. It will be a much more comfortable transition for them when they don't have to let go of all that comes with their freedom-filled, outdoor summer.
- Create new traditions! Make this time exciting for them--sure school is starting, but you're also introducing family game night every Wednesday, or pancakes for breakfast every Tuesday! Maybe Thursdays mean friends come over, or the kids get to help cook dinner on Mondays! Make plans to look forward to--remind the kids that pumpkin picking and the Halloween parade are right around the corner. Get them excited like they were for summer.
- Take your kids to get new school supplies, a new backpack, a new outfit to start school with, etc. A new outfit and new notepads provide the child with excitement around going back to school--if they do not go back to school, how could they wear their first day of school outfit or use their new gel pens?
- When your kid's get stressed out it's so easy to yell and burst with frustration when your house is filled with tantrums and crankiness. As difficult as it may be, try your hardest to provide empathy--show that you understand why they feel so anxious. Normalize their worry surrounding going back to school. Then provide encouragement. Remind them how great they are at math. Cheer them on and tell them that they can totally do this! Sometimes their anxiety can be due to leaving you. There is a level of anticipated home-sickness and fear about being away from you that can be present, so instead of getting angry at them, give them a hug. Let them know that you are here. Be there for them.
- Set their routine immediately, and if possible, start welcoming pieces of it back before school even starts. Have breakfast and dinner at a set time, try putting them to bed closer to when they will be going to sleep once school starts, and so on. Once school starts, ensure that they have breakfast every day and keep a consistent bedtime/wakeup routine which may include laying out an outfit, brushing their teeth, bathing, and whatever else is part of your family routine.
- Make sure they continue to get enough physical exercise. You may even want to join them on a bike ride or shoot some hoops! This will alleviate some stress (theirs and yours!) and produce feel good chemicals in the brain.
- Sleep is essential for them to start and then continue school feeling refreshed. Provide healthy dinners and evening snacks that are low in sugar. Try to turn off electronics at a certain time and watch television shows and movies that are less likely to keep them up during the night or prevent them from falling asleep.
Try not to worry. Do what you can to get through this tough transition, and regardless of how it goes, it is likely that your child will adjust and bounce back. And don't forget to take care of your own anxiety and stress as well. It's difficult to take care of others when you are not taking care of yourself!
If your child continues to suffer with anxiety which is interfering with their daily activites and functioning we are always here to help!
Call us at Modern Family Counseling at 732-742-0329 for more information about our services or to make an appointment with our therapists!