After a beautiful summer, it’s time to plan for the start of a new school year. Bummer, right?
While some kids get excited about going back to school, many children (and their parents) can experience fall anxiety regarding back to school, a return to more rigid schedules, and the end of the sunny days of summer.
Fall Anxiety: Not Just About School
Recognize that there’s anxiety about the workplace too. Often summer workload is a little quieter, and the long days give you more time for recreation after work.
Days are noticeably shorter already, meaning you may feel like you’re missing out on sunlight. You may be facing a return to the office after more flexible working from home opportunities. In addition to all this, fall can be very busy, as work goes into overdrive to meet year-end objectives.
So, what can you do to help make the transition easier?
Tips to Help You Manage Fall Anxiety
- Recognize, and listen to your emotions – it’s probably been a while since your school days, but many of us still feel anxiety or a sense of loss at this time. Don’t ignore how you are feeling. Intentionally experience your emotions, and try to uncover their source. If you can understand your feelings, you can reduce their impact on your actions.
- Be patient with yourself – remember, the end of summer can be stressful. Especially if you’re also dealing with your child’s anxiety. Take a lot of deep breaths – the adage of putting your oxygen mask on first applies here. It’s all too easy to lose yourself in the worries of others; if you’re not taking care of yourself and your emotions, it’s going to be that much more difficult to take care of others.
- Give yourself a treat – budget for a little treat for yourself. A nice meal out means you don’t have to prep dinner (or do the cleanup). Massage away some of that stress. Spruce up your home office. If you have kids, make back to school fun for the whole family! Take full advantage of the final days of summer.
Tips to Help Your Kids Manage Back to School
COVID-19 radically changed the school experience for both children and parents. Many students may not remember, or have never known, a “normal” school year (whatever that even is anymore).
- Return to routines – regular routines get relaxed over the summer. Bedtimes, mealtimes, activities – everything changes. If you wait until the first day of school to restart your routines, that first day is bound to go awry. Get a head start now. Start setting earlier bedtimes, make plans for school lunches, and check that you have everything needed. A little work each day will go a long way to making that first day back go a little smoother.
- Practice going to school – your child may be especially anxious if they are going to a new school. Practice going to school with them. If they’re taking a bus, show them where the bus stop will be. Take them to the school and walk around, so they become familiar with the setting.
- Ask for help – schools are prepping for the fall too. You can contact them ahead of the first day to address any concerns. If your child is especially nervous, it may even be possible for them to visit their classroom and meet their teacher before the school gets back in session.
- Emphasize the positive – if your kids are worried about homework, grades, or keeping up in class, emphasize the positives like being with their friends and fun school activities. This positivity can also help you, if you are feeling a little anxious about your child’s return to school.
Employers – What Can YOU Do to Ease Fall Anxiety?
- Provide Support for Parents with Kids Going Back to School – if possible, allow for flexible work hours during the first week to help parents get their kids back into the school routine.
- Communicate – if you’re one of the many companies implementing a return to office policy this fall, consistently communicate office hours, set clear performance expectations for working from home, and strive to find the right mix that works for your employees and your business. If you’re still honing your policy, read our blog on Return to Office Protocols, and reach out to HR Matters for advice and support.
- Celebrate – take time to celebrate your achievements to date, and set targets for the remainder of the year. Providing a rallying point for your employees helps everyone align and focus on working together to achieve common goals.
HR Matters.co is here to help
HR Matters is a Human Resources Consulting Firm who works with start ups, small and mid-size companies to enhance the employee experience.
With strategy and support from Louise Sullivan, 20+ year HR expert nominated as one of the Globe & Mail Best Executives in 2021, we provide HR On Demand services, along with support and assistance with HR policies and procedures including workplace diversity, mental health, talent acquisition and retention, and total rewards.
Our expertise covers the entire employee duration, from hire to retire. Our approach is flexible, and our goal is to be a trusted advisor to our clients, while we provide value, build trust, and have fun!
