How to ease your child’s back-to-school anxiety

Step 1: Lead by example

Be a good model for your anxious child by reducing your own stress. Though you might be worried about your kid starting school, you shouldn’t transfer additional concern to him/her. Instead, do what you can reduce your own anxiety before talking to your child.

Working Mom 3.0: Lead by example >>

Step 2: Invite your child to discuss it

Without having a formal sit-down chat, invite your child to talk about their fears and anxieties. Talk with your child when she is relaxed — perhaps when you are reading together before bedtime or playing a board game. Ask open-ended questions to get the conversation started, such as: “Changes can be intimidating sometimes. With the start of school coming up, all of us are going to have some changes with our daily routines. What do you think about that?” This will help your child to open up about her concerns.

Step 3: Let him know you can relate

Ease your child’s fears by talking about a situation where you were nervous or anxious and overcame those feelings (such as your first day on a new job). Talk about what you did to cope with your anxiety and discuss positive outcomes.

Tackle or dismiss your child’s fears? >>

Step 4: Make your child feel prepared

Your child’s feelings may stem from not knowing what to expect. See if you and your child can schedule a visit to the school, meet his/her new teacher and learn more about the daily routine. If your child is starting kindergarten or a new school, see if it’s possible to get a class list. Maybe you can arrange a playdate with a couple of the other children in the class before the school year starts. Anything and everything you can do to help your child feel prepared is important.