School...here we go again!

You know those ads where parents are celebrating school going back in?  I wish that was how I felt about school going back in.  Truth is I dread school going back in.  It isn’t making lunches or early mornings that I dread.  It is my son’s anticipated response that causes this momma anxiety. 

So, how do we best support children who have anxieties about returning to school?  It is first important to understand the source of their anxiety.   When talking about returning to school, our son started crying in the back seat of my car.   I asked him what was wrong.  He talked.  I listened.  Most importantly, I didn’t downplay his feelings.   

Once we figured out his main concerns, I asked our son what he thought could help.  Kids are very creative and can often come up with their own solutions with a bit of guidance. 

Before the school year starts, it is helpful to connect with your child’s teacher and support staff.   Schedule a time to go in with your child before the first day of school so that he can re-familiarize himself with the school, meet his new teacher, see where he will sit and hang his coat.  This small step can reduce the anxiety of the first day back to school. 

If your child requires adaptations in the classroom, it is important to have a plan in place before the school year begins.  Get in touch with your school.  Set up a meeting with the teacher(s), principal and resource teacher.  You need to advocate for your child’s needs. 

And on that first day of the new school year, don’t overdo it.  Parents make such a big deal of the first day back to school.   The main priority in my house is getting him through those school doors feeling as comfortable as possible.  If I don’t get a good picture that morning or he chooses not to wear his new outfit, how important is it in the long run?