Are you getting your kids ready for back to school? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be one of the most complex school years in recent memory. According to a recent Maru/Blue Public Opinion Research North America poll, 72% of parents worry another outbreak could force Ontario to shut down schools again. Even as the new school year approaches, many remain cautious about the uncertainties of the future.
Back to school safety is a top priority for parents, students, and faculties across the province. To minimize risk, Ontario schools have introduced firm protocols about mask usage, personal hygiene, and social distancing. Despite these safety precautions, there is still an unshakable anxiety about the upcoming school year. If COVID-19 forces the province to shut down schools again, this would place an immense strain on a lot of families.
With back to school season nearly here, stress management remains a crucial part of your mental health. For those feeling stressed about the pandemic, counselling services are available to provide you with professional consultations. In addition, there are several ways for parents and students to alleviate their worries about going to school. We have compiled a list of back to school tips to ease your family’s anxiety during COVID-19:
Tip #1: Study your school’s COVID-19 prevention plans
A lot of health authorities agree that it is safe to send your children back to school. Still, even with the expert opinion, you may feel emotionally conflicted about bringing your kids to school in the middle of a pandemic. This apprehension is normal given the circumstances. With a potential second COVID-19 wave heading into flu and cold season, your vigilance is shared by many others.
The good news is that all schools have implemented the necessary protocols, strategies, and plans to mitigate an outbreak. Under the care and diligence of the school authorities, there will be a controlled environment that prevents students from contracting the coronavirus. Back to school safety is being taken very seriously by those in charge, which may give you a sense of comfort and optimism.
Most schools have shared their COVID-19 prevention plans with parents and students ahead of time. It would be prudent for your entire household to study the details, so that you understand what preventative measures are taking place. By being aware of what is happening at your child’s school, you can feel more reassured about your child’s back to school safety.
Tip #2: Listen to your child’s concerns about going back to school
Over these past couple of months, your child’s usual routine has been largely altered. From their understanding, this pandemic brought upon dramatic consequences that changed the immediate environment around them. Just like any adult, your child could be feeling stress, anxiety, or confusion about going back to school again. As a parent, you want to make sure your child’s concerns are heard and their feelings are validated.
Even though your child may not know all the latest pandemic news, you should never invalidate their worries about contracting the illness. On the bright side, the latest research data do show that children are among the least affected by COVID-19. Nonetheless, parents should find the right balance between giving your child reassurance and teaching them about safety precautions.
How do you have this parental chat and minimize the back to school anxiety for kids? Here are several tips to follow:
- Sit down with your children and allow them to convey their thoughts and feelings.
- Never dismiss their worries by saying, “Don’t worry! It’s nothing. You shouldn’t worry!”
- Share your concerns about the coronavirus and what the school is doing about it.
- Let them know that everyone is doing their best to ensure students and faculty are safe.
By embracing these tactics, your child will have a much better understanding of what to expect from school. Your child will feel a lot more prepared about COVID-19 after this productive chat. In turn, you will also feel less back to school anxiety, knowing that your child is in a positive state of mind.
Tip #3: Learn stress management techniques
According to a recent survey by Nanos Research, nearly one-fifth of Canadians feel stressed “all the time”, and about one-third revealed that they feel stressed “regularly”. Many of the stress factors are related to the economy, finances, education, or working from home. If you have been feeling a lot more stressed since the pandemic, just know that many other people are going through similar experiences.
However, it is critical to minimise your stress in front of your kids. You never want to pass on your anxieties to your children. After all, you are the glue that holds the family together. As the parental figure, your children will model their behaviour after you. Whenever you feel emotionally burdened, try to release this energy with some stress management techniques:
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals throughout the day.
- Get enough rest and sleep each day.
As a bonus, you can even perform some of these stress management techniques with your child. For example, doing home yoga exercises with your child can help both of you unwind after school.
Tip #4: Establish a routine after going back to school
When the Ontario government closed the schools in March, your life was probably turned upside down. Suddenly, your kids were home from school, your work was being interrupted, and your family became tense. Over these past few months, your morning and afternoon routines might have been unpredictable. Now that everything is gradually returning to normal, you have time to restart your regular routines again.
Routines instill a sense of familiarity, which can put your mind at ease in these uncertain times. The routines can be as ordinary as waking up at a certain time in the morning and eating breakfast together as a family. Another routine could be making lunch or preparing snacks for your child on the day before school. By adapting to these routines, your child’s back to school transition will feel more comfortable over time.
Tip #5: Keep a positive attitude around home
Learning how to stay positive in the pandemic is going to be important, even if it isn’t always easy. With COVID-19 heavily affecting the atmosphere around us, you’ll want to keep a high morale around the home for the sake of your children. This doesn’t mean you have to overprotect your kids and pretend nothing is going on. However, you can refrain from sharing too much negative news so that your children don’t feel overly anxious.
Ultimately, maintaining a positive attitude is one of the best tips for managing your back to school anxiety. If you or your family feel emotionally burdened by recent circumstances, our counselling services can provide guidance on how to manage your stress. Contact us today!