The time has arrived: the kids are going back to school. Whether your child is crossing the bridge into a new year or you’re sending your kiddo for the first time. There are so many emotions involved in this transition - for both the child(ren) making the big change and for the parents sending the child(ren) on their way.
Take the time to notice these feelings - and bring intention to them. Sometimes sadness and perhaps guilt can come out in different ways - or even the feeling of relief. Is there part of you that is relieved to not have to juggle childcare or camps or both? Maybe you’re rejoicing. Everyone experiences this transition differently. There is no right or wrong way.
But getting back into the groove of the school year can be tricky. After all, it’s time to wake those kiddos up early again and get them off to school. With all of this change occurring, have you considered maintaining a familiar routine? Children handle changes best when they occur within the context of a predictable shtick, offering a sense of safety. Maybe it’s time to consider this option. Of course it’s okay to break the rules on occasion but structure will give your child(ren) a leg up when adapting to new environments.
Is there a way to avoid the meltdowns? Sometimes it’s impossible; but involving your child(ren) in decisions may save you from those dreaded moments. Perhaps prepare the night before by pulling out clothes together - and preparing their favorite breakfast in the morning. Will going off to school be easier if it occurs after eating their favorite combination of yogurt, granola, and berries?
After the year and a half we have experienced being immersed in a pandemic - if we know anything - we know our children need the social and growth-geared environment a school provides. But of course with any new change comes with its challenges. This year, the question of masking in school is a hot topic. This question is only for you as a family to answer, but we all have to face the idea of peers questioning our child(ren) about their masking choice. Take the time now to encourage your child to say, “our family decided it is best for us to mask” or “our family decided we are not going to mask at this time.”
17 months into this pandemic, we know we have new challenges to face, but our new challenges can sometimes dull the recurring ones. Ultimately, recognizing our feelings in the moment and prepping ahead will help us ease this big transition and start this year off on the right foot.
Namaste.
P.S. If you are seeing a need for soft skills or social-emotional growth in your child(ren) please contact us. JFS has just partnered with Social Bridges®, which aims to equip all children, teenagers, and young adults with the emotional intelligence, social competencies, and lifelong interpersonal skills to succeed.
View the Original Post: JFS Orlando, August, 2021
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