Oct. 2023

What are You Afraid of?

October is a month full of thrills, chills and the unknown suspense of what might be waiting around the next dark corner! And for many parents, this could also describe the feelings they have about the school year.

Common fears are that their children

-may be falling behind in core academic subjects

-will have problems making and keeping friends

-might not be safe in school through classroom violence or cyberbullying

So, how do parents handle these free-floating fears that can make them feel powerless? Read below for some strategies that can help parents face the scary unknown with a sense of optimism and confidence!

1. Help your child to remember that sometimes a bad day is just a bad day. We all have them, and it is important to check your reactions when speaking with your child. Instead, help your child to focus on the long game by keeping the situation in perspective.

2. Fears are more contagious than the flu. Your child may not view a school situation with the same anxiety that you do. I can remember putting a sweater on my child when I was cold! It is the same thing with fear. Be careful not to overshare your anxiety with your child. It might be too much for them to carry.

3. Fear comes from the unknown. Be careful from where you are getting your information. Bus stops and carpool lines are full of well-intentioned parents sharing misinformation. This can breed anxiety. Get accurate information and ask questions from reliable sources. Join committees to help remedy problem situations. This kind of positive action does a lot to minimize anxiety.

4. Resist the urge to fix every problem for your child. Remember to be the coach on the sidelines. Spend time with your child talking it over, planning strategy, role playing situations and giving feedback.

But remember your child is the quarterback on the field who needs to learn how to execute the plays every day at school.

Face those fears with confidence and optimism and the school year will look much less scary!