Back To School Anxiety

Anytime we haven’t done something for a long time, or what we are used to has changed can lead to anxiety, worry, concern etc. This is a very real concern for many parents and children who have recently returned to school.

The good news is with a simple understanding you as a parent can help reduce and even dissolve this anxiety in your child.

Watch this brief video to understand how.

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The 1 Minute ‘Bonding’ Tip:

In this section I will share a fast tip that you can read in under a minute, that is designed to enhance communication and connection with your child…

I am going to continue the theme of anxiety and it doesn’t matter if it relates to returning to school, the fact is worry, concern and anxiety are all part of the same chain and as a parent you can help reduce this in a similar way.

We are going to do this with a little role play framework for you to use when your child presents you with something, they are worried about… so, lets assume your child has shared their concern. Now use the framework below to help you reduce their concern without them feeling like they are being coached…

“gosh, that would worry me to, or make me upset” (and then pause)
“but you know what for me to be concerned or upset about this I would have to think about it in this way”…. (here you drop in what the negative your child is likely to be thinking about to cause the concern)
“Thinking about it in this way would definitely make me concerned or worried” Then ask them….
“What would you have to believe to reduce your concern?” (this is where you are asking your child to re-think the situation and come up with a new way of looking at the concern) Depending on the response you might need to help with…
How will it benefit you (help you) dealing with this situation/facing this challenge (use the appropriate words to the situation) it is far more powerful your child finding benefits rather than just being told them.

Of course, depending on your child’s age and the situation you will need to change the framework to suit you, but I hope the general concept makes sense and helps.

Testimonial

Wow this was absolutely amazing! I read the bullying one to my children 4 & 5yrs old and they both found benefits to their challenging situations at school and nursery! It brought a tear to my eye as my eldest child was being bullied at the beginning of the school year and now she has seen the benefits to it. Absolutely fantastic work and I am sure you will have a lot of success with this. Well done!

Jeminee Solanki