Children have a reputation for being adaptable, but that doesn’t mean returning to school isn’t hard.
“Parents can sometimes underestimate that it can be very intimidating for kids to start a new school year,” said Denise Geffke-Ramos, Director of Child and Family Services at NewBridge Services. “You have to change your routine again. You have to take on responsibility again.”
Back-to-school anxiety is especially common among children transitioning between schools, she noted. Students moving from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school often worry about fitting in and navigating new social situations. The transition to college brings different concerns as students take on greater responsibility for managing their schedules and coursework.
One way parents can ease that anxiety is by reassuring children that their well-being is the priority and that they'll be there to support them, Geffke-Ramos said.
She encourages parents to approach their children with curiosity. “Things that might be easy changes for you may not be easy changes for your kids,” she said. "Our kids are individual people.”
Geffke-Ramos suggested parents pay attention to any shifts in their child’s typical behaviors. A child who becomes withdrawn, loses interest in favorite activities, experiences changes in eating or sleeping habits, or pulls away from friends may be struggling.
In those instances, Geffke-Ramos said parents should start a conversation with their child by pointing out the changes they’ve noticed. “Are you okay? Is anything going on that we should talk about?” By approaching the conversation without judgment, the message to children is, “I'm observant, I'm paying attention. I'm just being curious,” she said.
If concerns persist, Geffke-Ramos recommends parents check with teachers or other school staff to see whether they're noticing similar changes. Even if others aren't concerned, parents should trust their instincts if something doesn't seem right and consider seeking professional help.
“Your kids still need you probably more than you think that they do — and more than they're going to let on,” Geffke-Ramos said. “Just trying to be a patient and loving landing spot for them will be really powerful.”
