Tips to Prepare Your Household for Back to School
Is your household ready for back to school?
Students in most of the Pacific Northwest region will go back to school in less than two weeks. For some it comes as a relief but it can increase stress and anxiety for parents, teachers, and kids. Most parents work and are under pressure to figure out a new schedule, after school activities, or are juggling multiple kids in the household with the same stressors. Meanwhile kids may experience anxiety when starting new schools or meeting new teachers. However, a lot of kids are excited to be back with their friends on a regular basis.
Signs of stress and anxiety in kids
For some kids they express their emotions with meltdowns, crying, or anger. Others simply freeze and have a hard time concentrating. Either way they express themselves there needs to be a plan of how to handle their stress. They also need reassurance that it’s OK and completely normal to feel like this.
Most kids feed off the emotions their household or parents have, so it’s important to be mindful of the words, media outlets, and management of their own emotions. Meanwhile, here are other helpful tips to make it as smooth as possible.
Setup and share your planned routine
A routine is just as important for parents as it is kids. When you set designated homework times and expectations along with limiting screen time, it’ll be easier for everyone to fall into a routine. Your child also needs a regular bedtime. Meaning, make sure they go to bed at the same time each day and wake up to get ready for school during the week.
Plan your regular back-to-school traditions
Schedule the time to shop for backpacks, lunchboxes, and other regular items that will work with your schedule ahead of time. Shopping for new clothes and getting haircuts is also a way to make them feel good and get kids excited about going back.
Know your resources
School guidance counselors and teachers are often available for emotional support to both you and your child(ren).
What if you or your child are still stressed and can’t focus?
Lifeline Connections is committed to long-term mental wellness for our patients. We offer an integrated, holistic approach that includes therapy and case management. Our doctors specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. They work to solve ones that have a compounding effect. Contact us for a referral or to find a therapist. They can work to design a custom plan for wellness. Secure treatment is also available over the phone or computer with telehealth.
