17 Ways to Make Back-to-School Less Stressful in 2021

17 Ways to Make Back-to-School Easier

​This is Going to Be a Tough Adjustment

For Children...

​Kids and young adults have been out of school for a year and a half. Most of them are experiencing anxiety returning to their brick-and-mortar schools.

Kids don't know what to expect going back to school; for a child the unknown is especially stressful. Younger children experience separation anxiety. Some haven't left their parents in over a year. They don't know how to interact with other children. And kids worry more than we realize when they are unsure. 

Young adults are suffering from the same unsure feelings, which are anxiety inducing and cause depresion. They are worried about classes, their parents, safety, what to do, and what the future looks like now. But they are particularly suffering from social anxiety.

They're excited to see friends, but scared, too. A lot has changed. They've all changed while being isolated and will have to figure out the dynamics of their friendships all over again. 

And it's nearly impossible to read faces with masks on, causing a problem for all school-aged people.

...And for Parents

​Adults are going through many of the same things that their children are.

Parents have been home with their children for the same amount of time, being teachers, time keepers, lunch servers; trying to balance work lives with their children and school.

There are worries and anxiety for parents with children going back to school as well. Safety, studies that have suffered, and parents' own separation and social anxieties are stress-inducing for them. Anyone with children that's reading this is likely nodding their heads.

The number of people suffering from depression and anxiety has skyrocketed during COVID. Families are grieving, stressed out, and forced to be alone when we need each other the most.

With children, the emotional effects of COVID are far more profound than in adults. Socialization is a fundamental part of learning to be in the world. After so much time apart, social skills and many other aspects of kids' relationships have suffered. 

Without face-to face instruction, grades have suffered throughout the country. This year, without being sure whether school will remain open for the year, it remains to be 

​Getting Prepared

1. Get on the regular school schedule as early as possible and structure everyday life accordingly. Becoming used to keeping a schedule and daily routines will make it easier when the time comes to leave on the first day of school.
2. Help your child or young adult figure out which classes they have and what the school day will look like. This will help them feel more comfortable. When a student doesn't know what to expect, they become overwhelmed with too much information and too little experience.
3. Call the School District and see what the COVID safety policies and measures are. They'll be different for many schools. Whether the information eases your mind or makes you uneasy, you'll know what to do from there.
4. Talk safety. Ask your child if they have any questions. Answer what you can. If you don't know, find out for them. Let your child know what the school policies are and tell them if there is anything else you need them to do. If you don't feel safe, make the accommodations that feel right to you. 
5. This may seem silly, but if possible, let kids pick out their own school supplies. It gives a sense of control (and it's fun).

When School Starts

1. ​If they don't, or have never, used an agenda or planner, have your kid start now. Even though it will seem like a pain, keeping track of what needs to be done teaches good habits and helps them with time management.
2. While making the transition back to brick-and-mortar school, allow extra time for rest. Any student would be exhausted after a long school day. Especially after attending from home for a year and a half.
3. It's a difficult balance, but if your child fell behind in online school extra study time may be needed. Grades across the country have suffered. Let your child know if this will be necessary and give them a few days to adjust to the idea if you can. Flexibility is important, too.
4. Give extra homework help. If you don't know the subject matter you may have to go through and learn it before you help with assignments. It is even better if you are able to get a tutor for them. It saves time, the tutor will know the subject matter and will be able to help more.
5. If you don't know how your young one is doing in school, contact the teacher to find out what's going on. She or he should be happy to help, knowing what students have been through this year.

​Supporting Mental Health

​Younger children, having been at home for so long with a parent or caregiver, will probably experience separation axiety when going back to preschool or private care. Even kids as old as 9 or 10 will be anxious when leaving home for school.

Social anxiety is an epidemic brought on by COVID. On the rise in every demographic, it is more dangerous for developing brains to experience. They become anxious or panic when having to socialize and don't want to go anywhere where they will have to.

And, kids worry. A lot. Now, they have a whole new set of things to worry about.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Longer transition times before and after school and reassurance they will be missed but you will see them later are just a couple of things that could help.
2. Reassure children having a hard time leaving you that they will be missed, too. But, it will only be a few hours until you see them.
3. A call home may be beneficial for children and young adults that go through either separation or social anxiety. Make sure with your child's teacher that they will make the accomodation.
4. Expect unexpected behaviors from kids who are having a hard time adjusting to going back to school. They may act out, isolate, or be unusually irritable. It's good to flow with it and get them to talk about what it is that is at the bottom of the behavior.  
5. Have back-up. Whether a friend, family member, or someone else, you need someone to go to. Whether it's to vent, clown around, or a call for emotional support. Your children and friends have you. You need someone, too.
6. Bring children on errands with you. The quality time will be good for everyone and going public places with you alleviates some social anxiety.
7. Have social-distance parties for both children and teens, have them invite as many guests as they are comfortable with.  **Bonus: You get to see how safe the kids can be together and correct anything that's wrong, before they go back to school.**

​You Know Best

​This year has been a tightrope act, for sure. But we will make it across, as students and as parents. Because between going to school, dealing with the ridiculous amount of stress and anxiety around us, working while teaching, and parenting, our balance is better than we think.