Relate's guide to beating the ‘back to school blues’

Relate for parents is here to offer advice to help parents of the estimated 11 million students preparing to start a new school year this September.

Relate believes children are not the only ones who worry about returning to school in September.

While many parents are glad to see the end of the long summer holidays for others the prospect of a new school or even just a new school year can bring with it a host of anxieties, ranging from the terror of bullying to the irritations of forgotten lunchboxes.

Advice for anxious parents:

• Remember this time last year, however anxious you might have felt you did get through it.
• If you had negative experiences of school in your childhood remember that everyone’s experience is different and there’s no logical reason to think history will repeat itself.
• Get support from other parents who are going through a similar experience
  Focus on the new opportunities your child can look forward to, not just the challenges.
• Consider other difficult times your child may have been through and the resources they used to cope. 
• Remember that settling in takes time and ensure you have plenty of family treats over the first few weeks.

How you can help your child:

• Be ready for some regression. Young children may become clingier while older children may become more withdrawn or angry.
• Make sure you’re available as much as possible for your child to talk to about their concerns.
• If you’ve moved area, get involved in out of school activities so your child is making new friends before they start.
• Once your child is at school, invite new friends over for tea or sleepovers at the weekend.
• Be organised so your child has everything they need for their first days.
• Make sure they eat breakfast - even if that means providing room service!
  If your child has any special needs, make sure the school knows about them before hand. 
• Acknowledge and affirm your children’s feelings.  Make sure they know that it’s normal to feel nervous and anxious but the feelings will pass in time.
  

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