Back to School
Back to school. Three words we hear every August, yet they feel so different this year. It is safe to say most students, teachers, and parents are facing a school year that looks a little…okay a lot different than most! Many are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and experiencing a general lack of control over many decisions and outcomes for this school year. With all the changes, challenges and unknowns this year holds we are left with a lot of decision making that we have likely not had to face in the past.
Take a deep breath. We are literally all in this together. However you feel, it’s okay. Maybe you are excited and ready for a much-needed change of pace for your family. That’s great! Maybe you feel reluctant to send kids back wondering how this will affect them academically, emotionally, or socially. That is okay too. Remember that all feelings are welcome; it is what we do with those feelings that makes the difference. You do not have to pretend that everything is great; be authentic about your own feelings and allow your children space to do the same. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Acknowledge any feelings of loss your child is experiencing and offer empathy. Try to do more listening than talking. Let them express their thoughts and feelings and try to save your stronger opinions or attitudes for other outlets such as spouse, friends, etc. Our kids are listening to our words and feeding off not only what we say, but the attitudes we emit. This is a great opportunity to set the example of authenticity with our feelings while remaining respectful.
Use this time to have a conversation with your child about a time in your life when things did not go as planned. Talk honestly about how this affected you and what you did to deal with it or how you wish you would have handled it differently. Ask them how they think their current disappointments or changes have the potential to prepare them for future disappointments they will encounter throughout life. How can they grow and mature during a challenging time? How can they be an encouragement to others? These conversations can be both relational and relevant while helping create parent-child connection and bonding.
Encourage your child to use this time to try a new activity they would never have tried otherwise. You can help them brainstorm some different options. Listen to their ideas and help cultivate a desire to make the best use of their time and energy during this unique season. Remember that learning is not just academic! Any newly acquired skill, behavior, or even insight gained from experiences falls under the umbrella of learning.
This school year may look different, but it can still be a great year of mental and emotional growth for your student. Give yourself grace, allow imperfection, and reach out for support when you need it.
About Two Roads Wellness Clinic
At Two Roads Wellness Clinic, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in your life. We’re an integrative health clinic offering a vast array of services including, mental health treatments such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), expressive arts therapy, family therapy, medication management, primary care, integrative nutritional support including genetic nutritional counseling, life coaching, massage therapy, physical therapy, infrared sauna services, community education and outreach, and more.
The Two Roads Wellness Clinic team of therapists, medical and nutrition staff, massage therapists, life coaches, physical therapists, and emotional support animals are ready to help you find an integrated approach to your wellness. To schedule an appointment, visit our contact page, to get started at one of our convenient locations in Champaign, Danville, or Mahomet.
Lindsay’s daughter studying for school