Why is back-to-school can sometimes be a source of anxiety?
02. 09. 2024
Back-to-school season can be a stressful time for you and your children. We are here to help you through this period.
Parents' stress : Understanding and calming
Why so much stress?
Feeling anxious at the start of the new school year is completely normal. Between managing school supplies, reorganizing family routines, and concerns related to the health and wellness of your children, the mental load can be overwhelming. In fact, according to a Go Student study in August 2022, 87% of parents declare that they feel stressed in the approaching back-to-school period.
The two major reasons of this stress are :
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The transition to the next grade for your child.
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Organization : supplies, administrative documents and journeys to school.
It's true that going back to school can sometimes be a real challenge.
How can you reduce this stress?
Advanced scheduling :
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School supplies list : Preparing and buying a list of necessary supplies before the start of the school year can help you avoid last-minute purchases. Just after classes end, you can ask the school for a list.
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Family Calendar : Use a family calendar to organize school and extra-academic activities, medical appointments and more.
Taking care of yourself :
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Relaxing times : Reserve moments for relaxation. A simple hot bath or a reading session can do wonders.
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Social support : Talking and sharing with other parents can also relieve stress. You're not alone!
Books can also help reduce stress, and we recommend these :
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The e-book “Navigating Back To School Stress And Anxiety” by Sandra J Jackson, this book offers a practical guide on how to help your child overcome their back-to-school anxiety and stress as well as yourself not to miss them too much. It will also help you when you're feeling stressed out.
Children's Stress : Understanding and calming
Why so much stress?
Children often feel their parents' anxiety, which can amplify their own. The start of the new school year represents a major change, with new classmates, teachers and sometimes even a new school. The unknown is always a potential source of stress for the younger ones.
The major reasons for this stress are :
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Parental stress.
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Separation anxiety.
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Transition fears.
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The fear of not meeting friends, of being isolated.
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Fear of failure.
How can you reduce this stress?
Communication is key to reduce anxiety related to the unknown.
Emotional preparation :
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Encourage your children to talk about their concerns and help them find solutions.
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If possible, visit the school with your child before D-day to familiarize him with the environment.
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Talk positively about back to school. Tell them about the new adventures waiting for them in the new school year.
Reassuring routines :
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Getting to school before school starts.
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Packing his schoolbag.
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Maintaining a regular bedtime routine can help create a secure feeling.
Here is a selection of books we recommend :
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For the first day of school, the book “Spot Goes to School” by Eric Hill, a simple board book, allows little ones to make their own discoveries about school by lifting the flaps to uncover activities such as storytime, painting and spelling.
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“The School Book” by Todd Barr, will introduce your children to all the wonderful things they can do at school, where everyone is welcome!
Back-to-school shouldn't be a stressful time for parents or children. By planning in advance, creating reassuring routines and establishing open, positive communication, you can turn this transition into a positive, peaceful experience.
To minimize stress, remove the concern of finding quality products for your school kids. We're here with our School Kid Set containing soap, shampoo, toothpaste and cream.
Happy back-to-school !