Written by: Amanda Levison, M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT
Is your child having the Back to School Blues? Is the curriculum too hard or was summer too much fun? Or both?
Can you make the transition back to school easier? Of course you can!
Here are some ways that you can make the transition as smooth as possible for your child (and yourself).
Do a trial run. Visit the school; map out where the classroom is and where your child's classroom(s) are located.
Do a little shopping. A new backpack or pencil box might ease the blow. There are great back to school sales. Setting your child up for success can be done on a simple budget.
Talk about what might be scary. Are you nervous about all of the homework or the new kids in your class? Address any potential concerns your child may have and come up with possible solutions on how to overcome those hurdles.
Have a Back to School get together. Let your child see how fun it is to get together with old friends. It will help them to feel connected, invited, and welcomed when they start the new year.
If the blues don't seem to go away after the first few weeks of school, check in with your child's teacher. The teacher will provide you with feedback on how your child is doing in school, from what they’ve observed. If that does not help, you may want to seek professional help. School is something very important, and it is equally important to enjoy it.