Back to School Month
August can be a hectic month during which the transition from freedom to... not... can be a difficult experience for children and adolescents. It's important for us, as parents, to be patient while our kids get back into the swing of things this year.
It's easy, as parents, to forget what it was like to start a new school year. Maybe your kids are at the same school with the same teacher. Maybe they're in a new school with unfamiliar teachers and peers. Whatever the case may be, it's important to keep in mind that "new" can be just as scary as it is exciting.
So, here are a few tips on helping our children navigate this transitional phase
Create a safe space for sharing feelings - allowing your kids to express themselves creatively (drawing, painting, singing, etc.) can help them express difficult or overwhelming feelings. Choose a quiet space to engage in play/conversation with your child if you notice he/she seems troubled. Start by saying something along the lines of, "Hey, I'm noticing a different vibe from you today. I am concerned that there's more going on than what you're sharing."
Listen more, talk less - It's also important to make sure you are providing the support they need in that moment, as well. Ask, "Do you need me to listen or would you like my advice?"
Recognize that their feelings are normal - It's not uncommon for children to feel apprehensive, worried, nervous, or even anxious about the start of the new school year. Reassure them that most people experience similar emotions in similar situations. Learning to tolerate uncertainty is a necessary skill in a child's development.
Provide a good model for your kids to follow - When necessary and possible, model what healthy emotion regulation looks like. If you're feeling overwhelmed one day, it's okay to say, "I'm not handling my stress well right now." It's okay to apologize to your children if your emotions got the better of you, too. Teaching our children what "healthy" looks like is vital to their health. It's okay to not be okay, but it's not okay to stay that way.
Create cohesion - Now that the kids are back in school that means that their teachers are in charge for a majority of the day; however, that does notmean that they are in charge of parenting your children. It's important to work with teachers to help your children establish new routines, build strong connections, and successfully transition from the summer months to the school months.
Praise their efforts - Life is more than good grades. Recognize you child's creativity, curiosity, kindness, bravery, etc. and explore that with them. Help them to embrace the facets of themselves that they might not be able to explore while in school.
Establish a healthy work-life balance - While we are at work all day, so are our kids. School takes a heavy mental and emotional toll, so help to establish study breaks and downtime outside of school. This can even include encouraging your child to take up an extracurricular activity that promotes physical exertion or scheduling quality time to spend together doing something both of you are interested in.
Prioritize self-care - So often, as adults, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's important to implement and prioritize self-care into our own lives because our children deserve the best from us.
Check Out This Month's Book Recommendation
"Whale Done is much more than a set of techniques; it is a way of looking at people and seeing the best that is in them. Great leaders, saints, and sages have developed this skill. Since most of us are less advanced than those paragons, this book can serve as a guide for how to bring out the best in our children."
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