Sure, I can help you with that. Here are some tips to help your child overcome the back-to-school blues:
1. **Do a trial run**: Visit the school; map out where the classroom is and where your child’s classroom(s) are located.
2. **Do a little shopping**: A new backpack or pencil box might ease the blow.
3. **Plan for change**: Together with your child, identify in writing the habit of behavior or habit of mind that needs adjustment. Then, write down some specific steps your child can take.
4. **Educate, validate and empower them**: Educate your teens about anxiety and its benefits. Allow them to understand the goal of our anxiety and explain that it’s meant to protect us but occasionally misfires and becomes a little overprotective ¹.
It’s also important to note that parents can play a major role in how well kids adjust to change ⁷. Here are some additional tips for parents:
1. **Restart your family’s school routine**: A week or two before school starts, parents should try and get their children back into the school routine. This may mean having them go to bed at a regular time and waking up early as they would do for school ⁵.
2. **Schedule play dates**: For older children, find out where the neighborhood kids might go to safely hang out, like the community pool, recreation center, or park ⁵.
3. **Talk to your child**: Ask children about their fears or worries about going back to school, whether it is in person, hybrid, or virtual ⁵.
Remember that going back to school can be a stressful time for both children and parents alike. By following these tips, you can help make the transition smoother for everyone involved.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 27/10/2023
(1) How to Beat the Back-to-School Blues: Tips for Kids and Parents. https://optimumtms.com/how-to-beat-the-back-to-school-blues-tips-for-kids-and-parents/.
(2) undefined. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/school/back-to-school-blues/.
(3) Back-to-school can be a stressful time. How to help your kids transition. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/school-anxiety.
(4) . https://bing.com/search?q=how+to+prepare+your+child+for+the+back+to+school+blues.
(5) Back to school blues: how to help your child with shyness. https://theconversation.com/back-to-school-blues-how-to-help-your-child-with-shyness-90228.
(6) How to Beat the Back to School Blues | Anxiety and Depression …. https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/how-beat-back-school-blues.
(7) 10 Ways To Prepare Your Child To Go Back to School – Kidscape. https://www.kidscape.org.uk/news-and-blogs/2022/august/10-ways-to-prepare-your-child-to-go-back-to-school/.