A Fresh Start

For some parents, return to school is probably one of the most wonderful time of the year, while for others it can bring the most stressful times along with it. However, going back to school can also be a bittersweet time for students. For those who struggle with the idea of going back to school, starting a new year can be a source of stress, frustration, anxiety and in some cases unbearable amount of fear.

Everyone must take the transition from easy summer life to routines, schedules and homework. Back to school stress is different for different ages. Younger children feel scared to leave their families. Making new friends with all the bullying can also cause stress for students. Older students may stress about appearance and grades. No matter what age, these times can trigger all kinds of anxiety disorders.

• How can a parent help their child make the transition easier during this time?

• What can a parent do to teach your child the best ways to deal with the pressure that comes with school and school life?

• What should your role be as a parent in your child's academic life?​

Talk and more importantly listen !
Parents can start to help their children with their fears by listening to their concerns and acknowledging their feelings. By asking open- ended questions and having meaningful conversations, parents may be able to find the root of their children's worries.

Help them set reasonable expectations and limits
Help your child get more organized and decide what they want to get out of their upcoming school year. Whether your child is entering nursery or the last year of high school, assist them in defining what they want to achieve this year and help them organize their schedule in order to optimize success.

Shift focus from grades to benefits
Students often focus too heavily on achieving certain grades or averages which in most cases will create academic anxiety disorders. Remind your child that its not necessarily the grade that matters as opposed to the acquiring the necessary knowledge and experience. This will in return lower the anxiety and result in academic success.

Introduce Routines
Children thrive on routine. Through a routine, children know what to expect throughout the day. As a result, the child is rarely surprised or caught off-guard. Being surprised is an anxiety-inducing scenario for most children, so having a routine can help your child feel stable and secure as he moves through his day. Despite the importance of being able to deal with the inevitable unexpected situations that may come up, a certain level of routine will help create stability and reduce anxiety.

Create family time
Set time daily or weekly to sit as a family. Whether it be breakfast, dinner, or weekly game night, create a platform that allows your child to be at ease and open up about things that he might be struggling with.



As a parent, it hurts to see your child unhappy or stressed. But try to resist the urge to fix every problem. Instead, focus on helping your child grow into a good problem solver. Help them learn to deal with the ups and downs, to put their feelings into words, to find ways to calm down when needed and be able to bounce back again.
Parents can solve every problem as kids go through life. But by teaching coping strategies, you will help your children learn to manage stresses that they will face in the future.