Easing back-to-school jitters for kids — and parents

Getting ready for the first day of school is always exciting and a bit nerve-wrecking for kids — and their parents. I remember lots of butterflies in my stomach as I went to bed the night before school started, each and every year. Now, as a parent, I watch my boys pack and re-pack their backpacks days in advance to make sure they’re just right (and, of course, searching for the cool backpack is a must). Back to school is an exciting time, but it can also cause anxiety.

The best way to erase those jitters is through preparation and communication. By planning ahead, parents and children can get ready for school with a little less stress. By really listening to our kids, we can better understand our children’s feelings and help them address their fears.

Regardless of your child’s age, going back to school can bring on the jitters. Here are a few of my favorite tips to help calm the butterflies for you and your kids.

• Make the first day of school the best day. A positive attitude goes a long way towards making the first day great. Avoid cranky kids by easing back into a bedtime and wake-up routine that follows your child’s school schedule a few weeks before school starts.

To diminish early morning stress, make sure backpacks are packed, lunches are ready, and clothes are picked out before kids go to bed. If your child is a little extra nervous, put a pick-me-up note in a pocket or lunch bag.

I always take a picture of my boys on the first day of school. It is a fun tradition and they get to show off their new clothes and sneakers. I make sure to take them to school that morning, and we do something special for breakfast. We also try to have a special dinner that night, so they can talk about their first day. Communication is key to helping ease the anxiety of the first day (or week) in a new grade at school.

• Go shopping. Remember the thrill of getting new school supplies? I love planning a special “mommy-and-me” back-to-school outing with my boys. We pick out school supplies (and a back-to-school outfit or two), have lunch at a fun restaurant, and talk about our goals and expectations for the school year. It’s a wonderful way to start the school year off right. I don’t like to do everything in one day; I like to spread it out. Clothes and sneakers one day, school supplies another, and sometimes, we have to go back to “fill in” anything that we missed. This special time shopping allows us to talk and have fun. (My boys know Mommy loves to shop.)

• Scope out the scene. If it’s your child’s first time at the school, try and visit before the start of classes. I think visiting a few times before the first day will help your child feel a little more familiar with her new school and a little more comfortable the first day. Remember, you want your child to feel comfortable and at ease that very first day. It will set the tone for the rest of the school year.

• Be supportive. It is normal for every child to react to going back to school in her own way. This can make it tempting to apply your own experience to your child’s life. Be calm and matter of fact. Listen and provide reassurance, but try not to heighten anxiety with old memories and good intentions. In the end, the most important tool you can use is to know your own child. Observe the situation, but also try to keep it all in perspective. For most kids, back-to-school jitters will melt away as easily as summer slips into fall.

Lastly, make sure to tell your child that you love her! You can never tell her too many times!