With summer winding down, both parents and children may be beginning to feel a little anxiety or stress over going back to school. Simply transitioning from the freedom and summer vacation schedules back into school schedules can be stressful. For some students, transitioning to the next grade level or a new school brings stress, and for parents, there is often a renewed focus on student success and fresh starts. While these transitions can be anxiety-producing, they can also be excellent opportunities for growth for everyone. Whatever the cause of back-to-school stress for you, we have a few suggestions to help you & your child:

•Focus on the positive and fun aspects of going back to school: Seeing friends again, meeting new teachers, etc. Acknowledge their anxious feelings, but help them channel & transform feelings of anxiety into feelings of excitement.

•Plan ahead: This means watching for Open House information, buying school supplies early, and planning family schedules to run smoothly once school starts. Parents may need to set aside a separate area for homework, work on meal/snack plans, organize/buy school clothing and supplies, etc.

•Give your child some control: Involve your child in back-to-school shopping & planning, and give him some choices wherever possible. Listen to his concerns and thoughts about homework, school lunches, schedules and after-school plans.

•Get a school-year bedtime routine in place ahead of time: Don’t wait until the night before school starts to send your child to bed early. Help her adjust to an appropriate bedtime routine several weeks before school starts. Remember, kids need more sleep than you—9+hours per night!

•Set up playdates or social outlets, but don’t overschedule your child: One of the things many miss about vacation is the down time. Allow that to be a part of your child’s and your family’s lives. Help your child connect or reconnect socially as needed. For some, this can be challenging. Work with your child’s personality to find the best fit for him/her.