We had a lot of back to school nerves in our house this year! It wasn’t much different than last year, to be honest. The kids were worried about who their teacher would be, what friends would be in their class along with many other worries that are hard to handle when starting something new.
Kids often have similar worries when they start up a new extracurricular activity. It is the fear of the unknown.
Even though school is well under way this year, it takes some time to get settled and adjusted to the new surroundings, teacher, schedule etc.
Here are some tips to help ease back to school nerves:
Project Confidence. We all have concerns for our little ones, especially when they face a potentially challenging situation. To help your child prepare for their new environment act how you want them to feel. Little ones can easily pick up on how you feel and it will have a significant impact on how they feel themselves. If you show them that you are happy and excited for the change, rather than concerned and fearful, they are more likely to feel positive about the transition.
Help Them Connect. Transitions are always easier with a friend by your side! Where possible, help your child find a connection with a new friend before school or their new activity starts. This can be accomplished by setting up play dates or visiting local parks and community centers. Once your little one has at least one new friend, the new environment will be much less scary.
Scope Out the Scene. Sometimes the biggest trepidation around a new school or activity is the fear of the unknown. In advance of the first day, practice your commute to the new school or activity with your child. Once you arrive, take some time to look around and get aquainted with the new place. The more they can explore in advance, the more confident they will feel.
Be Yourself. Remind your little ones that even though they’ll feel pressure to fit in, they should be unique, be different and be themselves. Encourage them to pursue their interests and act as they would if they were at home.
Don’t forget to remind your children that no matter what happens, you have their backs every step of the way! You are a team!
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I’ve been fortunate with my children, they approach everything with an open mind and optimism. i was not the same. i was bullied in elementary school and was always afraid to try new things.
Yes I was anxious and still am to a degree when starting a new activity or experience but usually I am okay once I am doing it.
I have a bad case of anxiety, always have and still do to this day, plus both my girls are shy
I only had anxiety on my first day of high school. Otherwise, I was fine.
I always looked forward to going back to school. No anxiety for me.
Florence C
I had a lot of nervous feelings when I went to school or tried anything new. I got a lot of stomach aches. Unfortunately my son experiences that sometimes too.
Yes, I experienced that. I just shrugged it away. Get use to being around lots of people. I really enjoy my own company and don’t like crowds much. Was always like that.
I always had bad nerves when I went back to school. And this year, when my daughter started preschool, I had nerves for her!
I always experienced anxiety when going back to school, starting a new extracurricular activity etc when I was a child, and one of my children is the same way. My oldest child never gets anxious though – she is very confident and extremely social and always looks forward to anything!
I was not a popular kid, so I hated going back to school. It was awful. Now though I don’t get anxious about many things. I’m pretty laid back.
no I was always excited to go back to school or try a new activity
I was ok in elementary but going back to high school was a nightmare!
I remember being nervous the first day of Grade 1, not so much after that. I was nervous leaving home to go to Senior High-but more homesick than anything. I was that way for a month.
I think my children were a little nervous until they met their teacher and, most of the time, they liked them.
I use to always be nervous on the first day of school or first day at a new job. My oldest gets quite anxious when he doesn’t know what to expect, whether its school or an activity.
yes i did and my kids both do , they like me near by when doing new activities
I use to dread the first day back to school, my kids were just as bad but after the first day they loved it
No, I can’t say that I did, in fact I was usually anxious to get back to school and see friends that I couldn’t see during the holidays. I loved school 🙂
I was always anxious on the first day of school and before new activities — I was a really shy kid. My daughter is the same.
I did when I was younger as I want sure which class I was going in to!
I was always excited to go back to school
I I did but not until I reached that awkward pre-teen age. My Son Loves school! He is devastated because they have a PA day already!
my niece always has anxiety on the first day but then it goes away.
Yes I did. I remember the first day of 8th grade I threw up. I wasn’t sick and I still went to school.
I did a little as a kid but our daughter does a lot!! Because of her anxisity we try and talk over every new adventure in life.
I pretty much had social anxiety and wanted to throw up. My daughter loved it though. Never any tears.
I was always nervous on the first day of school. Now as an adult i’m nervous when I have to start a new job. My children seemed to be excited on their first day of school.
I always experienced this as a child, but it was mostly because of having social anxiety disorder. I’d be nervous and nauseated at the same time. That’s why I’m so thankful that my children don’t have to go through this.
i was a very shy child but no anxiety that I can remember. the only time i was nervous was starting high school. My kids were both fine..they were ready to go to school each fall and love school.
I got a bit anxious about back to school-my kids never did.
yes I did
I wasn’t really nervous because it was such a small school and we all knew each other so there wasn’t any surprises.
I was always super excited about back to school. I am not a mom yet, but my nieces and nephews are always nervous about going back.
I get nervous every year when my daughter starts softball again. Thank you for the chance.
I did (and still do!) but my nieces never do!
I always did since I was (and am) painfully shy. So far, my kids have not had any issues, fortunately.
I was very anxious as a child and still get anxious even though it’s my kids going back and not me. My kids are much more comfortable with themselves and it doesn’t seem to bother them.
I think I am going to the Book Store to find ‘Tap the Magic Tree’ and, if it is as wonderful as the reviews say, I may buy several copies for my great grandchildren. This book seems to make the seasons change by magic-tapping, clapping, etc., and we all love magic.
I just remember being super excited!… and maybe a bit nervous.
I always got nervously excited before school. My children all get a bit anxious as well.
No we get really excited since she gets bored over the summer and its back to structure.
I only remember feeling back to school nerves in high school.
I don’t remember being nervous. I usually got some new clothes so I was excited to go to school to show my friends.
I was nervous the first week of school. My children feel nervous the first day of school but are soon into the routine.
I was always so afraid when school started…I was very very shy when I was young.
I always was really glad to get back to school.
The most nerve wracking part of back to school for me is not kids, it’s the return of school buses. When they are not running all summer, you kinda forget over those months…suddenly when school is back, buses everywhere… It takes some brain retraining to begin watching for them again. Roads seem to get busier and more crowded every year .. Got to stay on your toes to watch for the buses!
yes, I enjoyed going to school as I got into high school
the only time I can recall being nervous with back to school was when i went from elementary to high school. My son felt the same
I didn’t have any issues because I loved going to school and learning everyday. However, being an introverted adult, I find it hard to engage in the outside world. I like my blanket fort and am content to stay here. Although, this is my ideal situation, it just won’t work since I’ve birthed an extremely extroverted child.
My back to school nerves always have to do with busing.
I was the shyest child in the world. And we moved a couple times a year. School was sheer torture for me!
I remember being excited each year to go back to school. My children and now my grandchildren have also enjoyed going back to school and getting to see their friends again.
I never had any problems going back to school, I thought it was fun, my parents made it seem like an adventure!
I remember being nervous when I started a new school in 4th grade. Rosanne
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I never had nerves about school, but I know my daughter was a bit worried about the new teacher, students this year.
Yes I get nervous for them!
im nervous for my son yes
I think i have more nerves than they do!
Yes, I get a little nervous that the schools don’t know what they’re doing.
I began my social anxiety in Grade 1, when I had just moved to Canada from Switzerland a couple months before starting school, and I didn’t know any English.
Yes I had back to school nerves as a child and so does my daughter.
kport207 at gmail dot com
I was always nervous when starting school, my children were the same, but hopefully they have outgrown it. I have not
I always get nervous when starting something new .. I am more nervous for my kids then they are.
yes i always get nervous. i am just a nervous person.
Yes I got nervous as a child and my son does too. I could never sleep the night before the first day back to school. So i was always tired on the first day. Thank you for the opportunity!
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No I don’t get nervous…but my grandkids do..
I always get nervous.
I always had back to school nerves, my granddaughter does have mild anxiety about doing new things.
they get nervous like i did
I was always shy and nervous but my kids are outgoing!
im always getting nervous and my kids are also for usually the first two weeks
Yes I always did I would be shaky nervous first week my oldest son is the same way.
I was always nervous whereas my daughter is always anxious for school.
I get a bit anxious for some new things, and I have been lucky my children have all been ok starting school.
I was always excited, particularly over my first-day-of-school outfit. My daughters feel the same. kneecree at gmail dot com