Teacher’s notes: Tips for calming Sunday night school anxiety

My child loves school, but every Sunday night is filled with anxiety and worry and spends hours telling me that he doesn’t want to go to school. Is there anything I can do to help lessen his worry?

There is a reason we all get the “Sunday scaries” and not the “Wednesday whimpers.” Any change in routine can throw someone off course, even one that only lasts two days, like the weekend. Kids thrive on routine, and weekends typically look different than weekdays.

Try to have your son’s weekend routine match his weekday routine as much as possible. Of course, this can’t always happen, because we have weekend obligations and there are endless soccer games and birthday parties to attend! However, there are little things you can do, such as keeping his morning and nighttime routines the same. Have him wake up and get ready for the day, same as he would on a weekday. If part of your nightly routine is to read a book together, make sure you continue this on weekend nights, even if it means doing it before mommy and daddy dash out the door for dinner. This way, when Sunday night rolls around, there won’t be as much of an adjustment.

I just received the report card from my second-grade son’s school, and I’m surprised by many of the grades he got. Will it bother the teachers if I reach out to them to discuss this?

Yes! Just kidding … sort of. I think it will bother the teachers that there is something that was unclear on the report card, not that you’re reaching out for clarification.

Teachers and parents should work together as a team to support each child. If either side is unsure of something that is happening with the student, then the team can’t work to its full potential. Teachers put a lot of time and thought into their report cards, with the goal of helping you better understand your child as a learner. Never be afraid to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions about anything on your child’s report card.

Lauren Rosen has been teaching in Manhattan private schools for 10 years. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and daughter. You can reach her at MrsLRosen@gmail.com.

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