Welcome back everyone! This is always a time of transition for families but this year these transitions may feel a bit more daunting than usual. We’re all coping with constant change and unanswered questions about the future and it would be pretty normal to feel some worry. Some kids may be weathering the uncertainty with ease while others may be experiencing more anxious feelings than usual. There’s no right and wrong here!

Here’s a tip sheet for parents of younger children on how to help with back-to-school separation worries:

http://macnamara.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2.pdf

Some of these strategies can be adapted for older children too. Often the best tool we have as parents is to validate our child’s experience “I can see you’re worried about being apart. We’ve been together a lot lately!” and perhaps help them link back to their own resilience “Remember last week when we apart? You did it! What helped you get through that time?”  The worry or sadness about missing a caregiver can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Teaching kids how to cope with this distress gives them tools for life!

If you need any extra support with this or any other matter pertaining to the mental health of your family members, please don’t hesitate to be in touch by email or phone. I have a confidential voicemail at the school which you can access through the main line, press 4.

Wishing you a great start to the school year!