The routine change from carefree summer days can be challenging for some kids, so it shouldn’t feel like punishment. Family therapist Gayane Aramyan told CNBC that one way to ease them in is to let them know beforehand.
Start cutting back on TV time at night and getting them used to waking up early again. Aramyan recommends implementing these slow changes two weeks before school begins to give them enough time to adapt to the routine.
It is common among kids between 18 months and three years old to feel separation anxiety from their parents. That could cause problematic mornings, especially during drop-offs.
Aramyan advises parents to remind their kids that mommy or daddy will pick them up after. She says one important thing to remember is “to vocalize that every single day.”
Social pressure is another back-to-school stressor. Since the pandemic has negatively affected the social skills of many children, clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Gomez encourages parents to also focus on opportunities to practice being a good friend.
"The more practice children have, the better they can be at navigating social skills, friendships, and how to deal with bullying," Dr. Gomez told CBS News.
School bullying has been on the rise for the past five years, according to surveys. Some kids have it worse, and their cases sometimes lead to self-harm.
Prevention is always the best solution, and Dr. Gomez urges parents to educate their children about setting boundaries and when to raise their concerns.
If your kid has experienced bullying, Dr. Gomez emphasized the importance of being there for them. She suggests asking questions to genuinely learn about their school life instead of giving lectures.
Now, we’d like to hear from our readers. How are you dealing with back-to-school season? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
