How are you feeling with back-to-school season approaching?
Excited? Stressed? Nervous?
BC Children鈥檚 Hospital child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Ashley Miller has a few ideas for you.
鈥淧arents should really follow their child鈥檚 lead,鈥� said Dr. Miller, and recognize the signs of stress or anxiety in their kids.
鈥淔or younger kids, it鈥檚 clinginess or crying or more tantrums, being more irritable and refusing to go.鈥�
Other kids will try and get out of class by complaining of stomachaches or headaches.
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There are a lot of reasons why kids might worry about going back to school.
鈥淔or younger kids, it鈥檚 missing their parents, not knowing anyone, or wondering if they鈥檒l like their teacher,鈥� Dr. Miller said. 鈥淔or teens, a lot of it is fitting in socially and their achievement in class.鈥�
Although worrying about school is natural to a degree, Dr. Miller said parents should make sure they鈥檙e checking in with their kids on a regular basis.
鈥淔or kids who are more anxious about going back to school, it鈥檚 important for parents to understand and be empathetic to it. It might seem like a small thing to us, but it鈥檚 a big deal to them.鈥�
How parents react is key, she added. If kids are met with judgment, they鈥檙e not likely to open up to their parents again.
At the same time, Miller noted it鈥檚 important not to blow little day-to-day struggles out of proportion and to remind kids that they can handle it.
鈥淎 good way is to say, 鈥業 remember about how last year, when this happened, you were able to do this thing and you were able to deal with it,鈥欌�� she said.
鈥淚f a repeated pattern of intimidation starts happening, then parents do need to get involved. It鈥檚 not enough to just say, 鈥極h, stand up for yourself.鈥欌��
For kids who are naturally just a little more anxious, Dr. Miller recommends two apps: , to help teens be more mindful, and , for younger kids.
She said it鈥檚 important for parents to breathe as well.
鈥淓verybody gets stressed from time to time, but it鈥檚 good to look at household stress as a whole,鈥� she said. 鈥淢aking sure no one is over-scheduled and doing things like going for walks to relax.鈥�
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