Managing Back-to-School Stress as a Parent

As summer winds down, parents and students prepare for the end of summer break.  With this can come a sense of excitement and hope for the new school year. It can also stir up feelings of stress and anxiousness for everyone.  Parents, in particular, can find themselves overwhelmed with various responsibilities and tasks: managing numerous schedules, arranging carpools and organizing backpacks of school supplies, all while addressing their children's anxieties as well as their own stress.  

Managing your stress as a parent is crucial for maintaining a positive and supportive environment at home. Listed below are some practical strategies to help you get the school year off to a smooth start.

Plan and Prepare Ahead of Time

Create a checklist of all necessary tasks: purchasing school supplies, uniforms, and other essentials. By starting early, parents can avoid the last-minute rush and reduce the pressure on themselves and their children.

Open Communication with Your Kids

Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings about returning to school. Validate their worries and reassure them that this is a time when many of their classmates, along with their parents, can feel a little anxious. Letting them know how you feel and helping your child to be more comfortable sharing their emotions can help set the tone for a strong parent-child bond during the school year.

Initiate Consistent Routine

We all do best when we have consistency and structure to our day.  Establishing a daily routine now will help to reduce stress for everyone. Along with your child, create a schedule that includes regular wake-uptimes, meal breaks, study hours, and playtime. Have your child be part of the planning.  A well-structured routine provides children with a sense of feeling grounded, making it easier to adaptto the new school year.

Set Realistic Expectations

Parents often place undue pressure on themselves and their children to excel academically or participate in multiple extracurricular activities. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your child to reduce feelings of inadequacy and stress down the road.  

Avoid Over Commitment

Many parents are eager to get involved right at the beginning of the school year.  While this is great, make sure you don’t tackle more than you can manage.  Remember that you will be supporting your child’s academics as well as their extracurricular activities while also managing your own responsibilities at work and home.  It’s ok to say no to additional commitments that you feel may lead to excessive stress. There will be plenty of other opportunities throughout the school year.

Practice Intentional Self Care

As a parent, your mental and physical well-being is essential for creating a positive and supportive environment in your home. Allow time to take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, engaging in physical activity and spending quality time with friends. If you are struggling, talk things through with a mental health professional.  Taking care of yourself mentally and physically will help you to handle stress more effectively.

Tap into Support from Other Parents

Connecting with other parents who are experiencing similar challenges can be incredibly reassuring. Form or join a support group where you, along with other parents, can offer advice and provide encouragement to each other.  You will feel better knowing that you are not alone.

Focus on the Positive

Live in the moment and experience the excitement of your child's growth, new experiences, and opportunities to learn. Celebrate achievements, no matter how small, and create a positive, encouraging atmosphere at home.

Back-to-school can be a stressful time for most parents, however with the right strategies, the stress can be managed.  Remember that back-to-school stress is temporary, and with patience and resilience, you can navigate this period smoothly.

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Laurie Kendig, LCSW-S provides counseling services in Plano, TX to adolescents and adults. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems and Strength-based methods in her treatments. Learn more at https://www.lauriekendigcounseling.com/