5 Ways to Prevent Back-to-School Anxiety in Parents

Stress levels rise as you scramble to prepare your child to return to school, find an after-school care program you trust, line up tutors if necessary, stock up on school supplies, and more. It’s okay. Take a deep breath. Both kids and parents can experience back-to-school anxiety. Parents become chauffeurs, tutors, and coaches—on top of everything else they already have going on. Back-to-school time can be a challenge.

What is back-to-school anxiety in parents?

You know what’s coming but may still feel unprepared. After months of leisure, the beginning of the school year often brings a rigid schedule and consistent demands on your time and finances. 

A lot of back-to-school anxiety comes from feeling overwhelmed. And the more kids you have, usually the greater that feeling. Parents spend so much time preparing kids for the new school year, not considering that parental readiness is equally important. It’s like when you take a flight and put your mask on first in an emergency to better assist others. When you take care of yourself, you are in a better position to help those you love. 

Parents can prevent back-to-school anxiety with a bit of forethought and planning. In this article, five tips illustrate how to avoid stress when heading into a new school year. 

• Planning for success
• Setting expectations 
• Communication is key
• Develop confidence and coping skills
• Take care of yourself

1. Planning for success

Planning is the key to success, whether you are starting a business, getting married, or purchasing a home. A plan helps you anticipate challenges, prevent problems, and make any transition much easier. 

Back-to-school time is a potential source of stress for parents because the household routine gets disrupted. Schedules change as kids go from being home with their family to being in school all day with their friends. Instead of drastically making changes, consider introducing new routines gradually, at least a couple of weeks before the start of the school year. Remain consistent despite the temptation to enjoy the last few days of summer freedom. See what works and what doesn’t and tweak along the way. 

You can ease the tension of your child’s transition by making your home environment more organized and comfortable. For example, if there is a specific area that they use for homework or class projects, organize the supplies making sure that everything is easily accessible, but put away. Eliminate all distractions from the area in advance so they are ready to begin working when school starts.

Finding after-school care you trust and feel comfortable with is super important. If you are running late, the last thing you want to worry about is if the program will continue to provide a safe and enriching environment for your child. Planning your child’s after-school care as soon as possible is the way to go! Some programs have waitlists, and if you wait too long to decide, your child may not be able to get into the program you desire.

Planning ahead in every area can reduce the stress of back-to-school time for you and your child.

2. Setting expectations 

A new school year often brings further questions. Teachers instruct differently, curriculum changes, and a higher grade level may include more responsibilities. How much your child knows about expectations for the upcoming school year often depends on their grade and maturity level. Identified realistic expectations can help reduce anxiety for both students and parents. 

Don’t assume your child knows what behavior, grades, homework, and extracurricular activities are expected. You may need to ask their teacher what the objectives are. However, it is important to discuss those expectations together because it puts the responsibility on both you and your child.

3. Communication is key

Your child is the most important person you will communicate with during back-to-school time. So it is necessary to be intentional about how you communicate. Poor communication can be both the cause and the effect of back-to-school anxiety in parents. A lack of communication can create stress because you don’t know what to expect. You are unaware of school meetings, activities, homework load, etc. Poor communication can also result from anxiety when you begin to avoid discussions to prevent an undesired outcome.

You can improve communication by listening. Give your child your undivided attention; this is incredibly important, especially if your child is emotional or worried. Acknowledge their feelings and ask questions. Don’t be too quick to respond. Instead, fully hear them out. Finally, let your child know that this is a team effort and that they are not alone.

4. Develop confidence and coping skills

Kids can feel anxious about going back to school for various reasons, including feeling unsure about how their peers will perceive them and having difficulty with their schoolwork. A child’s discomfort can also create anxiety in the parent. Therefore, it’s essential to help your child develop coping skills to deal with challenges and feel confident in their abilities. Some tips to help your child feel more confident include praising them for their strengths and teaching them to value their efforts. Letting your child take on more responsibilities at home can also boost their self-esteem.

Another thing you can do is help your child connect with other kids at their school. You can do this by attending back-to-school nights or organizing a get-together with your child’s friends. Above all, it is best to remain positive and make the transition fun. 

5. Take care of yourself 

When you feel overwhelmed, it’s easy to focus your energy on your child and their needs rather than your own. However, when stressed out, your child can pick up on your anxiety and feel troubled themselves. So, while helping kids transition to school is important, it is crucial for parents to prepare before returning to the back-to-school grind. You want to ensure you are mindful of your health and wellness to avoid responding poorly to challenges and reacting with high levels of anxiety or anger. There are a few things you can do to take care of yourself and reduce your back-to-school anxiety. You can try meditating on scripture, getting enough rest, eating healthy, talking to a friend or therapist, spending time alone, or exercising. Don’t forget to practice compassion for yourself, your child, other parents, and teachers. We are all doing the best we can.

Finally

Overall, parents can help prevent back-to-school anxiety with awareness and preparation. In this article, I provided suggestions, including planning for success, setting expectations, communication, developing confidence and coping skills, and taking care of yourself.

Back-to-school anxiety occurs from not knowing what to expect or being caught off guard by something that feels overwhelming. When you address potential challenges proactively before they happen, your response is much calmer and more helpful. Of course, life happens, and sometimes there are surprises. However, with God’s assistance, planning helps us quickly pivot and keep going.

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. When you prepare ahead of time, you are empowered to be your best self for your child.