How parents and caregivers can help
Here are some back-to-school tips:- Listen when your child shares a concern. More important than solving their problem is that you hear their concerns. Your support will help build their confidence.
- Create a plan. Think about ways your child can respond if one of their worries, like missing their bus, should happen.
- Practice calming skills. Explain that sometimes we can feel worry in our bodies. Teaching them how to control breathing with deep inhalations while focusing on senses like what they can hear, see, feel, taste, and touch is an excellent way to calm the nervous system.
- Remind your child that they can handle it. Recall other times they had worries and successfully overcame them.
- Focus on the positive. Having something to look forward to can help redirect your child’s worries. Ask them to share something that is coming up that they are excited about.
- Take care of yourself, too. Remember that children take cues from their parents, so stay calm, take lots of deep breaths, and focus on being a steady and calm example for your child.
- Don’t stress about getting it wrong. If you’re worried you may have said the wrong things in the past, acknowledge it, apologize and start fresh. No one is grading you on your parenting abilities; keep trying to do your best.
Supporting middle schoolers
Middle school students may need different reassurances. Here are some pointers for parents:- Invite your children to share their feelings and check in on them often
- Reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious about new beginnings and that others also feel this way
- Visit the school in advance to reduce any anxiety about the unknown
- Encourage social interactions by making new friends
- Help them prepare for school by making sure they are doing any summer work and completing reading lists
- Talk about ways to cope and manage stress
- Encourage personal responsibility
- Establish a daily routine before school begins
Helping high schoolers
There’s also an emotional health checklist for parents of high school students:- Encourage their self-expression and resilience
- Help them develop time management skills
- Regularly check in on their academic and social experiences
- Offer empathetic listening and understanding
- Monitor their well-being, watching for signs of distress and changing emotions and seek professional support when needed