GREEN BAY — The holiday season is coming to a close and that means it’s back to school for many kids. While parents may be excited to send their kiddos back, children may experience some reluctance or even anxiety about their return. Emplify Health by Bellin has some great tips for parents to ease the transition back to school and implement routines that will make that first Monday morning back hassle-free.
“It’s not uncommon for children (and adults) to experience anxiety-related concerns after an extended break from school,” said Kim Shefchik, Emplify Health by Bellin Generations & Adolescent Clinic Physician Assistant. “During these longer stretches of time away, our kiddos’ brains recalibrate to more relaxed routines, making the shift ‘back to reality’ overwhelming. While the tantrums or acting out might be a little bit about their reluctance to return to school, it probably has more to do with those adjustments.”
For many, winter break included sleeping in, unstructured time with family and freedom from academic expectations. Returning to early alarms, homework, sports and extracurricular activities can trigger stress responses. Shefchik asks parents to think about how they feel about going back to work after a vacation. They can see how their feelings can be similar to what their child feels. A parent might be dreading the hundreds of emails waiting for them, while their child is dreading the upcoming tests they need to take.
The good news? Parents have more power than they might think to help ease the transition for their kids (and even themselves):
Start the sleep shift early. Don’t wait until Sunday night to enforce a normal bedtime. Try to aim for a reset of at least three days before school resumes to gradually move bedtime and wake-up times back to their normal schedule. This will allow your child’s internal clock to adjust without the shock of a sudden change.
Create a visual countdown. Help your kids see what’s coming by creating a countdown calendar that marks the days until school starts. Have conversations about what to expect and help them remember the things they enjoy about school, such as friends and activities.
Validate and listen to their feelings. When a child says “I don’t want to go back,” don’t dismiss it. Instead, approach it by saying, “I hear you. Sometimes it’s hard to get back into routines. What part feel the hardest for you?” You will be recognizing how they feel while helping them understand they still have to go back to school.
Celebrate the first week back. Give your children (and yourself) something to look forward to at the end of the first week. Have a movie night or family dinner to celebrate a successful week.
“We can’t eliminate all anxiety – some nervousness is normal and even healthy,” says Shefchik. “The goal is to ease the transition and give our kids the right preparation without pressure. Giving them skills to move through discomfort rather than avoiding it.”
Transitioning back to routines can be hard on anyone, and help is available for anyone who may need it. Parents who are concerned about their child’s behavioral health are encouraged to reach out to their pediatrician for guidance and referrals to specialty behavioral health services. For information on the primary and specialty services offered at Emplify Health by Bellin’s Children & Adolescent Center, please visit bellin.org/CAC.