Setting Yourself Up for an Easier Transition Back to School

A new school year often stirs up anxiety and excitement for many children. September can not only signal new experiences and friendships, but also significant changes in routine. These changes may include earlier bedtimes, earlier wake up times, fully scheduled days, extracurriculars and sports, homework, and the expectation of your child’s full attention for 7 hours per day.

For some, the shift from summer freedom can feel daunting, but it can be successfully navigated with simple strategies. The following three tips will help your family more easily transition back to school.

Plan for Extra Time (More Than You Think)

Every morning, taking the time you need is the first step to a manageable school day. It is unsustainable for children, teens, or even parents to be regularly hurried. This cycle could look like pushing through activities, homework, and dinner in the evening while, in the morning, skipping breakfast and rushing to school before the bell rings. This pattern puts bodies in a chronic state of stress, where the nervous system is activated, and the following can occur as a result:

• Anxiety
• Tantrums
• Mood swings
• Family arguments
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up not feeling rested, etc.

Therefore, with the start of the school year, be prepared by planning for extra time. If you think you need an hour, plan for two. Your mind, body, and nervous system will thank you!

Notice Your Approach

Also important for your children’s adjustment to school is your own approach to work and other tasks. Notice your language. How do you describe your responsibilities?

Perhaps, you find yourself saying words like, “I don’t want to go to work either, but I have no choice, and neither do you.” Or, “I hate waking up so early.” Maybe, you’ve commented, “I’m so worried about this presentation.” Chances are, your children, who closely hear you, will develop a similar orientation to school.

Shifting to intentional framings of work will set a new example for your children. Consider these two statements: “I love staying home with you, and I look forward to going to the office,” and “This presentation feels uncomfortable, but being able to share this information is important to me too.” These examples model to children how to balance their feelings and responsibilities as they enter the new school year.

Fall Favorites

Lastly, one of the most difficult parts of going back to school for children is ending the summer fun. Park play dates, riding bikes, going to the pool or beach, ice cream dates, and more. While difficult, your family does not have to fully shift to a fall grind. Some hobbies from the summer can be integrated with special fall activities to help maintain stability between the seasons. Some examples include:

• Picnics
• Walks
• Cider mills and apple picking
• Bonfires and s’mores
• Hot chocolate dates, etc.

As you head into the start of a new school year, remember to set yourself up for an easier transition: plan for extra time, be intentional about your approach to responsibilities, and incorporate some favorite fall activities into the new routine. With these three steps, you and your children will be guaranteed to have a better back-to-school experience.

Kylie (Capps) Gojanaj, LMSW, CTP-C is a licensed psychotherapist, EMDR clinician, supervisor, wife, and mom to two young girls. She is the founder of Early Wellness Group on the Hill in Grosse Pointe Farms, a family focused group practice offering a custom-tailored mental health experience unique to each family’s interests and needs; as well as Early Wellness Advantage, an online self-help center offering simplified access to mental health resources. For more information, visit: earlywellnessgroup.com.