Back to school: Help your child manage stress and anxiety

Back to school: Help your child manage stress and anxiety

The days are getting shorter, the mercury is slowly dropping and soon we'll see the first leaves on the ground. It certainly feels like the end of summer! And nothing says fall more than the start of the new school year.

For parents, going back to school is no picnic! It's a race for school supplies, meal planning, and when the famous activity calendar goes back on the fridge.

For children, the start of the new school year can be very exciting, but also bring its share of stress and anxiety. After two months of enjoying the sunshine, ditching the bedtime routine, having not even taken one look at a math problem or a spelling assignment, the thought of returning to the classroom can be a little unsettling.

Recognising the signs of stress and anxiety in your child

We asked Bonjour-santé's team of mental health nurses to list the signs of stress, nervousness and anxiety you might see in your child (from very young to teenager) as the new school year arrives. You'll find them below.

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• A sudden change in behaviour; for example, your child is more irritable, fights back, refuses to do what is asked of them, or throws more tantrums.

• Physical discomfort such as headaches, stomach aches or nausea.

• Sleep issues; they have trouble falling asleep or sleeping well. They refuse to go to bed or ask to sleep with you. They often have nightmares or wake up frequently during the night.

• A constant need for reassurance; they always want to be close to you or repeatedly ask you questions.

• Excessive reactions to certain events; they try to avoid certain situations, such as going to friends' houses or taking part in activities.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Or even isolation; they withdraw into themselves, stay away from other children, or always try to avoid new situations.

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How to reduce back-to-school stress and anxiety‍
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Our team of nurses has some advice for you.

• Respect your child's emotions; don't tell them that their feelings are unjustified or false, discuss them with them.

• Continue to live normally as a family at all times; stick to the rules, restrictions, bedtimes and mealtimes, etc. Maintaining a routine is crucial. 

• Give your child special moments; play a favourite activity with them, go on an outing with them, tell them you love them.

• Practice belly breathing with your child; guide them so that they inhale gently through their nose while inflating their belly, and exhale gently through their mouth, as if they were blowing out a candle. Remind them that this kind of breathing helps to reduce stress.

• Give your child a sense of control; let them choose their new school bag, lunch box, pencil case and name tags. Allow them to choose their own clothes and snacks for school.

• Make time the day before and the morning of the first day of school; don't rush things.
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Want more advice on this or any other issue related to your well-being or mental health, such as insomnia, adjustment disorders, addiction, irritability or depression? With a Bonjour-santé membership, you have unlimited access to our team of mental health nurses, who will be happy to discuss your concerns with you.

For more information on this service and to take advantage of a host of complementary health services available from the comfort of your own home, discover the Bonjour-santé membership!

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