Surviving Back to School
Mental wellness resources you can use to ensure everyone starts this back-to-school season stronger.
Everyone deals with transitions and changes differently. Children are no different than we are when it comes to making those big transitions. Think back to when you were starting something new. Whether it was a new school or our first day at a new job – even though you were excited, you were probably a little anxious or nervous.
While the feeling is normal, it can be uncomfortable, and so can adjusting to a new schedule, new people, and all new surroundings. Whether you believe your child is feeling nervous or not, there is a lot that goes into the school year. We have the tips you need to ensure your kids - and you - feel safe going into and throughout the new school year.
Learn the signs of bullying and suicide.
They are uncomfortable topics, but we must talk about them. According to the World Health Organization, globally, 1 in 7 10- to 19-year-olds experience a mental health disorder. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children aged 10 to 14 years and the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 24 years. Those are scary numbers, but they have to be shared. It is important to check in with your child throughout their week and keep lines of communication open. NAMI has fantastic resources about learning the signs of bullying and suicide.
Start your new routine now.
New routines can be challenging, but they can help you and your children stay on track when things get busy. Routines can have a wealth of benefits, including lowering stress, reducing uncertainty, and even improving focus. Implementing this new routine a week or two before school actually starts can help make the transition easier on the whole family. This article from the Child Mind Institute has some fantastic ways to make new routines easier – and tips to keep your child motivated along the way.
Weekly check–ins with your child, or the whole family.
Checking in with your child weekly or daily is incredibly important to understand where they are at mentally. Questions you may ask can range from helping them explore and reflect on their feelings about going back to school to understanding the school day or even figuring out how you may best be able to support your child through the transition or throughout the year. Some examples of questions that we like include:
“What are two different feelings you have about going back to school?”
“Which part of your day feels the hardest? Which part feels the most fun?”
“What is a small tool you use to calm down when you feel overwhelmed, or have big feelings that may be difficult to control?”
NAMI’s 10 Question Tuesday guide is a great place to find more questions that can help you check in not only on your children but the rest of the family too.
Back-to-school can be overwhelming and a little difficult. But having the tools you need to make sure your child (and you) can thrive have the ability to make all the difference. We hope this school year is a great one – for the whole family!