Back - to - School Stress

Introduction

The back-to-school season is upon us once again. This is usually a time full of excitement and possibilities as children try on their new backpacks and blazers. However, this can also be a period of intense stress and anxiety for both children and parents. These feelings have only been exacerbated by the global pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, forcing children into remote learning, and turning parents into substitute teachers. In this article, I will delve into the complex landscape of emotions surrounding the return to school, offering insights into the experiences of both children and parents and providing self-help strategies to navigate this journey.

Back-to-school Stress in Children

For children, returning to school can be a confusing and complicated experience. While some eagerly anticipate reuniting with friends and diving into new learning experiences, others grapple with fears of the unknown [1,7]. Social dynamics, academic pressures, and changes in routines can trigger a range of anxieties. Separation anxiety, particularly common in younger children, can resurface as they transition from the comfort of home to the school environment [2].

The fear of not fitting in, trying to make friends, and managing the demands of schoolwork can weigh heavily on children's minds. Additionally, the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic has added an extra layer of stress for many. The adjustment to remote learning and the subsequent return to in-person classes can be unsettling. In fact, several recent studies have tried to assess the impact that the COVID-19 lockdowns have had on children’s school-related stress, finding a significant increase in feelings of anxiety, and depression [1,3]. These negative feelings are likely to be compounded further by the typical back-to-school stresses.

Back-to-school Stress in Parents

Parents, too, experience their own set of anxieties during the back-to-school season. The responsibility of ensuring their children's well-being, both physical and emotional, weighs heavily on their shoulders. Balancing work, and household responsibilities, and actively participating in their children's education can be a juggling act that adds to parental stress. Clinical psychologist and author Dr. John Duffy listed several key worries that parents have regarding their children going back to school. These include academic concerns, bullying, and drug and alcohol use [4]. Furthermore, the pandemic has also increased parental stress, with heightened fears about their children’s physical and mental health in the post-covid landscape [5]. It is also easy to forget about the increased levels of stress that parents across the country experienced following school closures, having to take up new roles as part-time educators on top of their existing work responsibilities. While these stresses will have been eased somewhat by the reopening of schools, their impact is likely to have lasting effects [6].

Despite the differing sources of stress, the experiences of children and parents are interconnected. Open communication between parents and children can serve as a bridge, allowing each party to understand and validate the other's feelings. It's crucial for parents to create a safe space where children can express their fears and worries without judgment. Parents should also be mindful of projecting their own anxieties onto their children [8]. Modelling healthy coping mechanisms and demonstrating resilience can positively impact how children approach challenges. Encouraging open dialogue about both positive and negative emotions can help to create an atmosphere of understanding.

Self-help Strategies

Amidst the challenges, there are effective self-help strategies that both children [1] and parents [4] can employ to navigate the back-to-school transition with greater ease.

For Children:

1. Open Communication: Encourage children to talk about their feelings. Let them know that it's normal to feel nervous and that their emotions are valid.
2. Familiarise: Visit the school before the first day to help children become familiar with their surroundings. Meeting teachers and seeing classrooms can alleviate anxiety.
3. Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine that includes time for relaxation and enjoyable activities outside of schoolwork.
4. Positive Visualisation: Encourage children to visualise successful experiences at school. Positive thinking can help reduce anxieties.

For Parents:

1. Self-Care: Prioritise your own well-being. When parents are less stressed, they are better equipped to support their children.
2. Listen Actively: Create space for children to express their feelings. Be an active listener and offer reassurance.
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Acknowledge that challenges are a natural part of growing up. Setting overly high expectations can contribute to stress.
4. Connect with Other Parents: Share experiences and advice with fellow parents. Building a support network can provide valuable insights and emotional relief.
5. Seek Professional Help: If anxieties persist for either parents or children, seek the guidance of a mental health professional who can provide information, treatment, and tools for effective coping.

Conclusion

The return to school is a period of transition that carries with it a complex web of emotions for both children and parents. Acknowledging and addressing these emotions is key to enabling a smooth transition for both parties. By cultivating open communication, offering validation, and implementing self-help strategies, families can navigate this time of potential stress and anxiety with a stronger sense of resilience and togetherness. As backpacks and school supplies begin to fly off the shelves in the coming days and weeks, the back-to-school season becomes an opportunity for growth, learning, and forging deeper family connections.

References

[1] https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/tips-for-dealing-with-back-to-school-anxiety/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_5unBhCMARIsACZyzS0thjYmIj3w8XsvqUbRZn9qY_qCpVtYXhU3PQhIXGMiXqVrXzokk0IaAl6OEALw_wcB

[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40617-020-00467-2

[3] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11125-022-09616-7

[4] https://www.parents.com/kids/education/back-to-school/parents-can-have-back-to-school-anxiety-too-heres-how-to-cope/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7362323/

[6] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10664807221131011

[7] https://childmind.org/article/back-school-anxiety/

[8] https://childmind.org/article/how-to-avoid-passing-anxiety-on-to-your-kids/