Collective Wisdom: Back to School
Back to school is in full swing and we wanted to share with you the collective wisdom from a few of our clinicians:
For those returning to school or parenting those returning to school: Change is hard. Be gentle with yourself. Put something fun on your calendar for after the first or second week of school and take time to celebrate your hard work, because it is hard work to mentally adjust to a new routine.
One year I was so proud of myself for getting everyone out the door on time, only to discover my little guy wasn’t wearing shoes! My tip is to:
1. find your laughter
2. Create relationships with other parents who will laugh and cry with you without judgment
3. check your kids’ feet as you leave the house!
One tip I would provide (specifically for children with ADHD) that I have found helpful with my clients is to put energy early on into organization! Examples: plan the week’s clothes ahead of time, put a basket of socks by the front door for when someone inevitably “forgot” socks, make color-coded, visual reminders for yourself for homework deadlines, what goes in the backpack, etc.
It's totally normal to be nervous (and some of the teachers may even be nervous too!)
One major piece of advice I would like to share for back to school time is to encourage clients to practice self compassion. Take time, every day, to identify and celebrate daily achievements, however small. It is important to remind yourself, "It's okay to feel. Recognize your efforts and know that you're doing your best." Incorporating this simple affirmation can be transformative and can provide clients with a moment of grounding and positivity amidst the challenges of back to school season.
My one tip for parents would be to connect with their child's school counselor or other support staff (e.g., LCSW) early on. The new school counselor’s role is to act as the first line of contact for parents and students for assistance in academic, social or personal development. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) encourages parents to establish and maintain regular communications with the school counselor to better understand their child’s challenges and address any concerns that could impede success.
ASCA recommends:
1. Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child’s school counselor.
2. Meet or contact your child’s school counselor at least three times per school year.
3. Discuss your child’s challenges and concerns with the school counselor.
4. Learn about your child’s school and social connections from the school counselor.
5. Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems.
Transitions aren’t easy for kids or for adults. Be kind to yourself and your family.
Practice slowing down to not get swept up into the hustle and bustle of back to school or major family transitions that come with it. Be mindful of each step - what do I need to accomplish, who do I want to work on becoming, what new roles do I need/want to play? Tackling life transitions with greater mindfulness can help us feel more stable, with a sense of purpose and direction.