Back To School Jitters
Reunited and it feels so good!
Our first week back has really been great! Sure, there have been some sleepy faces, a few tears, and a little trouble getting back in the swing of the routine. And that is 100% normal.
Adjusting to a new routine or coming back to one after a break can be hard on all of us, especially the children. I also know, that watching your child express their anxiety when arriving at school and needing to just trust that it will be ok is incredibly hard on parents. I've been there. It takes a great deal of trust in the process. And if you've never gone through the process, well that feels like a huge leap of faith!
I can assure you that each and every child has settled, found a rhythm for the day, enjoyed their time, made some connections, and above all, has been seen and comforted by the staff.
We also see you, the caregivers driving away and starting your day in a different way and adjusting to that. You are doing great.
If you are looking for some ways to help your child adjust, here are a few ideas:
Normalize feeling anxious by talking to your child. Even the young ones that aren't quite fully verbal yet will appreciate hearing that it is Ok to feel nervous, that they aren't the only ones feeling this way, that even grownups feel nervous, anxious, or scared sometimes.
Allow your child to express their feelings. Give them the space to move through their feelings rather than dismissing them by saying things like "oh, you're ok" or "don't cry, don't be scared/sad". Instead, try phrases like "I know this is new and feels scary, and it will get better". And remind them when you will see each other again "When you are done with your work and I am done with my work, I will pick you up" or "We will see each other right after lunch". Just like us, they feel what they feel and it is very real to them. They need to know while it may not feel great right now, it is normal and they are safe to feel what they feel.
Keep the routine consistent. The more consistently they experience being dropped the same way each morning and being greeted by us the same way, the quicker your child will create a trusting bond with us and remember that this is a fun and safe place for them to be while they are away from their very important and special caregivers at home.
As hard as it is, try not to show your fear, sadness, and anxiety at that moment. If the children sense you trust us and this space, they will trust us allowing us to create bonds. They trust you above all others.
Prioritize sleep. Feeling anxious and adjusting to new things takes a great deal of energy. Prioritizing sleep helps them recover and feel more refreshed in the morning which as we all know, makes dealing with life so much easier!
Talk to your child's teacher. When in doubt, reach out! Never a bad idea to send a quick email sharing what you are seeing at home, confirming that all is well in the classroom, or asking for guidance. We are in this together!!
So take a breath. You are doing great! Your children are doing GREAT! And we are off to a wonderful year!!!!
