Early in my career as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, I made a huge mistake. I went on vacation the week before school started. No one told me that going on vacation at the end of the summer was a horrible idea!
The return of school brings on a whole lot of struggles for many of my patients. For some it is the transition to kindergarten, and for others it can be starting middle school or high school or even college. For many kids and many parents, going back to school is a non-event and at times even an exciting one. But for those with anxious tendencies, back to school is a big stressor that is approached with much trepidation and anticipatory anxiety, both for kids and parents. And even teachers.
Yes, for some children academics can be stressful. For others, going back to school can be a context for reliving old social challenges. Some don’t look forward to the school rhythms and a higher level of busyness and after-school activities - especially after a summer of slower and easier routine.
The good news is that returning to school doesn’t have to be as big a stressor or source of anxiety. As parents, we can set the tone for our children. We can manage expectations whether it is a transition year or going back to the same school. We also help our kids make sense of what they are experiencing. Daily, we are able to model for our children how to react to transitions, challenges and busyness. We also can guide them on how to manage those things that are hard for them to deal with whether it is a class that is a challenge for them or a conflict with a peer. Challenges and missteps are not always bad. That is a life lesson that we all need to learn.
The other major role we can play as parents is helping our kids to make sense of their stress and anxiety. It is normal to feel nervous with life transitions. It is important to help our kids realize that there is nothing wrong with feeling nervous. Teaching them that nervousness and stress are not problems to overcome but normal and appropriate reactions will help lower the risks for anxiety. We can help them realize that those strong distressing emotions are not an indication of a huge problem that they have to overcome, but that they are able to tolerate those negative emotions and that they don’t have to worry about having them. I know that for many kids this is not so simple, but parents play a big role in helping kids navigate through these challenges.
Mohab Hanna, MD is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is the founder of MedPsych Behavioral Health with offices in Ramsey, Old Tappan, Montclair and a NEW LOCATION in Ridgewood/Glen Rock. Dr. Hanna specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression and ADHD. MedPsych provides psychiatry, psychotherapy, autism and ADHD testing, and other services with in-person and virtual appointments available. For more information, please visit www.medpsychhealth.com or email us at newpatient@medpsychnj.com.
545 Island Road, Suite 2B & 3D, Ramsey, NJ 07446
519 S Broad St, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 (NEW Location!)
180 Old Tappan Road, Building 3, 2nd Floor, Old Tappan, NJ 07675
MedPsych Behavioral Health provides psychiatry, psychotherapy and testing services to children, teens, and adults. MedPsych has offices in Ramsey, Glen Rock, Old Tappan, and Montclair and offers in-person and tele-based services. For more information visit www.medpsychhealth.com, email team@medpsychhealth.com or call (551) 271-1506.
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