The countdown begins! One week until I am back working part time!  I am very excited at going back to be a Counselor!  I am hoping all the planning will make the transition go smoothly!  We found a great sitter through sittercity so I am thrilled!  Now it is preparation time for the kids.  We are doing a lot of talking about me going back to work and what the routine will be.  I think it helps kids to have an idea of what to expect and a predictable routine.

We are still also tackling school anxiety and I have a feeling this might be an ongoing tackle at my house.  Working on reassuring kids that they are safe and that they can do it is important.  I am trying to do this as well as going through a predictable routine each day.  For others who are have children with school anxiety here are a few tips that are helpful…

• Teach your child to “self talk”, when they start to feel worried.  Explain to them that when they start to feel nervous they can say to themselves in their head “I am ok, I am safe, I can do it”  This can help them have the confidence to make it through a tough time.
• Come up with a safe place they can go for a few minutes to regroup and feel like they can tackle things again.
• Have a signal for your child to give to the teacher when they need help.
• Meet with the teacher and find out what they see at school, try to figure out if there is something specific triggering their anxiety.  It could be they are afraid of someone at school, or of an unfamiliar routine etc.
• Go through the routine of the day with your child at night, and in the morning.  Let them know when and how they will get to and from school and that you know they can do it.
• If the child is having anxiety about school, do whatever you can to get them to stay there.  If they are removed from the situation the anxiety will only be greater the next time they go back.

I hope that these tips will help other parents struggling with their child’s anxiety.