Parenting towards resilience as we return to school.
As the summer sun gradually starts to set earlier each day, our thoughts as parents turn to the approaching school year. This season of transition, while thrilling and full of new beginnings, can also stir up a whirlwind of emotions and anxiety for our children. With an increase in demands, new routines, fresh faces, and heightened expectations, it's no wonder that back-to-school time can be a challenging period for ourselves and our children. In light of these demands, the significance of prioritizing our children's mental health cannot be overstated.
A vital part of this process is acknowledging that struggles are not only inevitable but also necessary. They are the unsung heroes of personal growth, facilitating the development of resilience and independence in our children. Yet, as parents, it can be heart-wrenching to watch our children grapple with challenges. Striking the balance between offering support and allowing them room to grow can be complex.
Here are five concrete strategies to help you support your child's mental health during the back-to-school transition and bolster their resilience:
1. Foster Communication: One of the cornerstones of emotional support is open dialogue. Make it a routine to check in with your child, ask about their day, their concerns, and their expectations for the new school year. Be present and listen without judgment. Sometimes we need to ask even if we know we may not get a response. Reiterate that their feelings are valid and that it's okay to have worries. Through these conversations, you can help your child articulate their emotions, reinforcing that they are seen, heard, and understood.
2. Normalize Struggle: It's important to remember and to remind our children that struggling is a part of life—it's not a failing, but a mark of trying. Emphasize that it's okay to find things difficult and make mistakes. These are opportunities for growth and skill-building. Teach your child that failure is not a permanent state or a negative reflection of their capabilities, but rather an integral part of the journey to success.
3. Cultivate Problem-Solving Skills: As tempting as it may be to step in immediately when your child encounters a problem, hold back and guide them through the problem-solving process. Ask open-ended questions to help them think through their challenges and possible solutions. By doing this, you not only equip them with problem-solving skills but also foster their confidence in managing their own issues.
4. Advocate for Balance: Academics and extracurricular activities play significant roles in a child's development, but it's vital to ensure your child has a balanced lifestyle. Encourage them to have downtime, engage in physical activity, pursue hobbies, and maintain social connections. A balanced lifestyle can shield against burnout, help manage stress, and promote overall well being.
5. Model Self-Care: Demonstrate to your child that mental health maintenance isn't an occasional practice but an integral part of daily life. Model these behaviors through your actions. This could be as simple as openly taking a breather when you're stressed, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, or engaging in mindfulness practices. When children see their parents prioritizing their mental health, they're more likely to adopt these habits too.
As we steer through the back-to-school transition, it's crucial to remember our goal as parents isn't to construct a challenge-free path for our children but to equip them with the skills, mindset, and resilience to handle life's obstacles. This process requires an element of "letting go" which might seem daunting, but it's a necessary part of your child's journey to self-reliance.
In stepping back, we are not leaving our children to flounder, but providing them with the space to grow into resilient individuals, capable of facing life's challenges head-on. As we usher in the new school year, let's focus not just on academic achievements, but on nurturing a resilient spirit and a balanced approach to life.
Let's set our children up for success, not just academically, but also in their ability to handle life's ups and downs. Here's to a school year filled with learning, growth, and resilience!
