Children & Adolescents
Therapy 101
Why Back-to-School Isn’t Just Stressful for Kids
Why the summer-to-fall transition triggers stress and anxiety — and practical ways parents, kids, adults, and educators can make the shift easier.
When we think of “back-to-school stress” we usually picture nervous children with new backpacks waiting at the bus stop. The transition from summer break to school year affects everyone in the family, and even people without children. Even if the change into the new season is positive, it is still a major shift that disrupts routine and carries stress.
Anxiety doesn’t just affect young children who are being separated from their parents for the first time. School/Fall anxiety for other age groups usually involves the following components:
It is important to note that although anxieties can be less than comfortable, they are a normal human response to change. Additionally, anxiety can coincide with excitement, so allow for them both to coexist without judgement.
Educators have an extremely important, yet difficult, job to do throughout the year, and we have to acknowledge that they too carry stress, especially in the early Fall months.
Teachers and staff have lots of things to juggle including preparing their classrooms (and let’s not forget that a lot of the time they are the ones buying their own supplies!), learning and implementing new policies, managing workloads (not just teaching kids…they also have tons of behind-the-scenes work to do), and navigating possible compassion fatigue…all while also maintaining everything in their personal lives. Hats off to you, educators! Your stress is valid too as we approach a new school year.
In the spirit of being more cognizant and mindful of our emotions, it is important to highlight that even adults who do not have children can experience increased stress and anxiety during this time of the year as well. In a world where the school year seemingly does not affect our loved ones without children, some things they do experience that can contribute to their stress/anxiety may include:
● Increased traffic and busier routines in the general public
● Vacations ending
● Less daylight approaching (not this again!)
● Feeling the relaxed pace of summer leaving
Although these stressors are not related to going back to school for themselves or having their kids go back to school, it’s important to note that these shifts can still disrupt anyone’s life, as we are all human after all. Just because school isn’t on their radar, our childless friends still might get a spike in anxiety as the end of summer approaches. They need some TLC too- it might just look different for them.
If you ever think to yourself, “Wow, I really hate change. Why am I like this?” just know you are not alone. Historically, humans have been resistant to change. From an evolutionary perspective (hello, caveman times!) change threatens our safety and habits. When we experience change, we are becoming vulnerable to the unknown, giving up control, and having to put forth extra effort to adapt to the new circumstances. You not liking change does not mean you have something wrong with you, it is just in our blood to want to have predictability as a means to keep ourselves safe.
If you find yourself being very averse to change, especially when summer is ending and the Fall is approaching, it may help to implement a few tools/coping skills/general life adjustments that could help facilitate an easier transition for you and your loved ones. Below are a few easy, practical, and realistic ways to alleviate some of the anxiety:
● Ease back into routines gradually (modifying sleep schedules, eating schedules, quiet time, etc.)
● Give yourself grace! Keep your expectations realistic
● Not every night has to be spent doing something. Carve out downtime for yourself and your family. (Pro tip: not only will downtime help you to relax but it also models to our children the importance of mastering relaxation as a means of self care!)
● Be transparent about anxieties/worries. Allowing for open dialogue in your household will help everyone feel more comfortable sharing their emotions as they arise.
● Remember that adjustment takes time. “Getting it right” immediately is often unrealistic.
This is your reminder that back-to-school isn’t just a marked time on the calendar, it is a significant life transition. Just because you are stressed doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. Change is a constant, unavoidable aspect of our human experience. It is rarely
comfortable, but with patience, realistic expectations, and self-compassion, the back-to-school season can become less about surviving the transition and more about finding your new rhythm. You’ve got this!
