Parents:  Helping Your Child De-Stress Before that First Day

 

"Will I have any friends in my class"?

 

“How much homework will there be"?

 

“Will my teachers be tough on me this year"?

 

 

These are just a few of the questions that go through students' minds the days and maybe even weeks before the opening bell of that first day of the new school year.  It seems natural and everybody does it, but wouldn’t it be nice to find some way to turn it all off? Easier said than done, that’s for sure.  But maybe some of these tips will help guide you through helping your kids de-stress before that first day back.

 

1. Even though worrying about school might seem like small worries to you now, try to remember back when you were in school and having the same fears.

2. Tell your child that you understand.  Perhaps offer a story of when you were worried about something in school, but that it turned out fine in the end.

3. Try to stay busy those few days before school begins.  Even though kids might beg for a few days of rest and relaxation, the busier they are, the less focused they will be on school.

4. Casually help your child (depending on age) organize for school – double checking that all supplies are ready.

5. Consider starting an after-the-first-day of school tradition.  One parent we know bakes a favorite dessert.  Another makes it an afternoon at the movies. 

6. If your school offers the opportunity to meet teachers before the first day, encourage your child to attend. 

7. Keep your sense-of-humor and try to keep the mood light.  Not counting pre-school, there are only thirteen first days of school to live through!