Jewish Family Services of WNY helps parents navigate back-to-school anxiety

Guest editorial by Jewish Family Services of WNY

For plenty of kids (and parents), back-to-school brings lots of excitement. But for just as many, the thought of returning to school can come with feelings of anxiety. 

The behavioral health team at Jewish Family Services of WNY (JFS) is sharing ways to support your child during this time of year, from simply talking through what they’re feeling about school’s return to reintroducing routines well ahead of the school year.

“Whether your child is nervous about working with a new teacher, beginning a new routine, or entering an unfamiliar environment, back-to-school anxiety is extremely common,” said Stacey Schmid, LMHC, director of clinical services at JFS. “There are many ways that you can help your child manage these emotions by addressing their concerns and validating their feelings to help them prepare for a new school year.”

Some of the tips for parents and caregivers as they navigate the back-to-school season include:

•Talk it through, both the positives and negatives: Positively impact how your student will view “back to school” by encouraging your student to think about the things that are positive. Whether that be seeing friends again each day or learning something exciting, there is a lot to look forward to in the classroom. At the same time, make sure you address the concerns your child is having. Take the time to actively and openly listen to what they are saying, and don’t minimize your child’s worries.

•Validate their feelings: When you do discuss your child’s concerns, be sure to validate their feelings. What your child may be feeling is normal as a new experience approaches. You can reassure them of this when discussing what going back to school means. By normalizing nerves or excitement, you can help your child feel understood and safe, while giving them the space to work through what they may be feeling.

•Reinstitute routines: Reinstitute bedtime and morning routines about a week before the first day of school to smooth the transition and remove uncertainty about what to expect when the big day arrives. Going to bed early to get adequate rest and waking up to eat breakfast and making it to school on time can reduce a lot of stress for both children and their parents.

•Remind your child of their previous successes: It can be easy to focus on what’s scary about going back to school but reminding your child of hard things they’ve done before – even if it was difficult or scary – can help them begin to alter their thought process. Whether the memory focuses on the time they learned to ride a bike, mastered the playground jungle gym, or learned a new game, work to help your child find their confidence.

If your child is needing extra support this year, JFS’ counselors work with children ages 5 and up. To learn more, visit jfswny.org.

More about Jewish Family Services of WNY: Since 1862, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been providing all members of our community with critical health and human services. The professional staff and dedicated volunteers of JFS are resolute, purpose-built, and driven to make a difference by focusing on the broader needs of the local community through critical, life-saving programs, including behavioral health programs and counseling, family support, care coordination, housing navigation, career services, and specialized case management. For more information, visit jfswny.org.