How to Help Kids with Back to School Anxiety

Every parent knows that going back to school is difficult for children of all ages. It’s a transitional period as kids must adjust to a new environment, new faces and a new routine. It’s always a challenge to get your kids back on schedule after summer vacation.

There’s no doubt that getting back into the daily routine can be stressful and disruptive for the whole family. Now, it’s certainly normal for a child to experience some anxiety when the school year starts. Kids will worry about making friends, where to sit at lunch and increased workloads.

During this time, it’s not unusual for children to complain of headaches or stomach aches, throw temper tantrums or act withdrawn and irritable. Your child might beg to stay home but avoiding school and socialization will only make matters worse. However, if anxiety lingers or symptoms persist beyond the start of school, a visit to your family’s pediatrician may be warranted.

That being said, there’s no reason to let the start of school be stressful for your kids. You can follow these simple tips to help make the transition back to school much easier for your kids and you!

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Get Back on Schedule

No one likes change, right? It’s hard for all of us, including our kids. That’s why it’s essential to get your child back on schedule before the school year officially starts.

Many kids, especially preteens, have grown used to sleeping in throughout the summer.  As the school year approaches, get your son or daughter prepared for school by enforcing reasonable times for going to bed and waking up. This will make the transition to a normal school schedule much easier for everyone.

Is your child having trouble sleeping as the school year approaches? The back to school jitters may result in sleepless nights for many kids. We all know that sleep is essential for a learning, energy levels and mood. A lack of sleep can make children more vulnerable to occasional anxiety. Make it a point to ensure that your child is always getting a good night’s sleep.

Talk about Stress and Anxiousness

As the school year gets underway, it’s important to give your child plenty of space to discuss his or her feelings about a new teacher, friends, homework or whatever comes to mind. Remember that stress or anxiety is actually a normal response to the beginning of the school year. 

Listen to your child’s concerns without immediately trying to fix everything. Don’t simply dismiss their fears by offering reassurances like “there’s nothing to worry about” or “you’ll be fine.”  Instead, let your child know that it’s normal to worry and help them strategize ways to solve the problem. It’s tempting as a parent but your job isn’t necessarily to fix the problem so much as validate their feelings.

Stay Positive about School

Worries aside, there’s always plenty to look forward to at the start of the school year. Your son or daughter will have a chance to learn new skills, make new friends and experience new things.

Sure, there’s always going to be ups and downs but the it’s important to stay positive. Talk to your child about what he or she is looking forward to at school. It could be learning more about a favorite subject, an upcoming field trip or new after-school activity. Whatever it is, this will create a sense of excitement rather than nervousness about starting school.

Try Supplements for Kids

Supplements are a well-researched, non-habit forming way to help your child deal with the stress of a new school year. Supplements contain nutrients to help with stress, improve sleep, support concentration and beyond.* They’re typically available in a chewable tablet or liquid form that makes it easy to give to kids of all ages. Look for supplements with these key nutrients:

• L-Theanine – A naturally occurring amino acid commonly found in calming supplements. It helps the body produce calming neurotransmitters like GABA to support relaxation, improved sleep quality, and enhanced concentration and focus.* L-Theanine also invokes a sense of relaxation and mental alertness without lethargy or sedation.*
• Lactium® – Lactium® is milk protein that mimics mother’s milk to help induce a state of relaxation and calm.* This natural ingredient also supports stress management by invoking a calming response in stressful situations.*
• Vitamin B12 – Plays a key role in cellular metabolism while supporting proper sleep patterns, and assisting in memory and learning.* Many children don’t consume enough B12 to meet their needs and may require supplementation. Signs of low Vitamin B12  include irritability, weakness, fatigue and cognitive difficulties.  
• Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 can help improve mood, regulate behavior, prevent fatigue and promote emotional balance in kids.*
• Folate – This member of the B Vitamin complex is required for healthy development of cells, normal brain function and protection from cell damage.* Look for an active form of folic acid that is better metabolized by the body and won’t mask vitamin B12 deficiency.
• DMG (Dimethylglycine) – DMG supports the body’s ability to adapt and respond to stress.* It has been shown to help improve behavior, eye contact, verbal skills, mental alertness and may help with lethargy.*
• Magnesium – This powerhouse mineral is essential for muscle relaxation, energy production and strong, healthy bones.* Supplementing with magnesium can help improve sleep patterns, mood and energy levels.* Low magnesium levels have been linked to hyperactivity.

Going back to school doesn’t have to be stressful for your or your kids. Just make sure that they’re getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy meals and staying active. That’ll help ensure a smooth transition for your kids and make your life much easier!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.