It’s hard to believe it’s already September and the kids are back in the classroom already. This can be a tough time of year for students and for parents. So I decided to gather some helpful info if you’re wondering How To Manage Back To School Stress As A Parent In Delaware, and anywhere really!

For me, most of my childhood and elementary school years were spent being bullied. I know I had good times, and a few friends and for that I am grateful. But overall, the majority of my memories involve coming home crying or feeling like I didn’t fit in.

Unfortunately, a lot of students experience this no matter what grade they’re in. Bullying can happen in any grade or age range. It’s important to prep your children for the potential of other students being not so nice.

Add the daily pressures of performing to your best abilities, and any student can feel easily overwhelmed or stressed out.

So how do we help our kids manage back to school stress?

I’ll give you a hint, it doesn’t have anything to do with buying them the newest and coolest backpack, but that would help.

Well, I’m not a parent but I’m an aunt, a former teacher and a former student who experienced it all. I can tell you from experience, that I wish I had more tools to cope in a healthy way when it came to school stress.

My parents did the absolute best job they know how but we could all learn from the experience and just hope to help someone currently going through it.

• Talk To Your Kids

  Sounds simple right? It’s more difficult than it seems.

  Some children won’t answer honestly right away when you’ve asked “How was your day?” It has to go beyond that.

  Sit them down. Reserve focused time. Speak to them one-on-one. Ask specific questions.

  Start with “Tell me the worst part of your day today”. Listen. Ask more questions if you need to get them to elaborate.

  Finish with “Tell me the best part of your day”. Usually when you go through the hi’s and the lows of each day or week, you’ll get more straightforward and honest answers and your student/child will feel more comfortable opening up to you about their experiences and you have a shot at helping them solve problems before they get out of hand.

• Share Your Experiences

  Not everyone’s experience is the same. Share what you went through. Recall times where you may have felt vulnerable, insecure, unsure of yourself, etc. Let your child know that it’s ok to feel these things. These feelings don’t make them weak. They are feelings and they are ok and common. Allow them a safe space to talk through them.

• Discuss Their Strengths And Weaknesses

  Every student is different and every one learns in different ways. Some subjects come easier to some people and some don’t.

  Speak without judgement. Understand that everyone learns on a different level. Just because you are an accountant doesn’t mean that your child should be great at math.

  Hear them when they mention struggles. Ask them what is the difficult part for them and ask them if there is anything about the particular subject that they do understand.

  Suggest a variety of ways they can get better at it and see what they are comfortable with. Some students do well with one-on-one tutoring, others just need a few more minutes in a small study group.

• Do Your Homework

  No, I don’t mean try to teach yourself Common Core Math.

  Cyberbullying, problematic peers and overwhelmingly hectic schedules are stressors teens face.

  Research, read, study what’s going on currently in your child’s school, activities, classrooms, home life.

  Get familiar with your child’s habits and schedule.

  Dr. Cheryl L. Green, a professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, addresses the unique stress factors that disproportionately impact teen girls and shares concrete ways for parents to help in her new book, Heal Your Daughter: How Lifestyle Psychiatry Can Save Her from Depression, Cutting, and Suicidal Thoughts.

  This is just one example of an educated publishing that can help you navigate your child’s stressors.

Sign Up For The Mix Newsletter Sent To Your Inbox

Have the latest celeb and music news, local happenings, fun games, exclusive contests, and more delivered to your inbox.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.