WRITTEN BY BRITNEY VINCENT, LPC: If back-to-school season is leaving you wonderinf how to support your child’s mental health this school year, you’re not alone. Sure, anticipation of the new school year can bring excitement and eagerness, but let’s be real- sometimes there’s a mix of anxiety and overwhelm too. We are preparing ourselves for packing lunches, checking homework, and managing all the changes.
While routines and check-ins go a long way, mental health support doesn’t stop there. Here are five ways you can support your child’s emotional well-being as they head back to school.
1. Talk About What’s in Their Control
School can feel unpredictable. What friends will be in the class? Who will the teacher be? What time is lunch? Alot of these questions you may not have an answer to. So instead of talking about the possibilities, focus on things you know. Help your child focus on what they can control—what to pack for lunch, what to wear on their first day, or choosing to be kind. This is known to build confidence and reduce anxiety.
“We can’t control everything, but let’s talk about what we can control.”
2. Create a Worry-Release Routine
Kids often carry stress without the words to tell us what they’re feeling. Start a simple daily routine to let those worries go—like writing them on paper and tossing them in a “worry jar,” praying them out loud in the morning drive, or whispering them into a stuffed animal before bed. These simple routines help kids name their worries and let them go.
This helps move the stress out of their body and gives them the tools to share what they’re feeling and ask for help.
3. Limit Over-Scheduling
It can be easy to pack every afternoon with sports, clubs, and extra activities, but kids need unstructured time to relax and recharge. Think about yourself- don’t you ever get tired doing all the driving, all the prepping, all the planning and we’re not even the ones doing the activity! Imagine your kiddo: a mental demand for 8 hours at school, then another 2 physically or mentally demanding hours in the afternoon. Give them space to simply play, daydream, or unwind to strengthen creativity and help emotions regulate.
Think of rest as essential as homework—it helps build a healthy, balanced life and teaches us that it’s okay to take time for ourselves.
4. Speak Kindly About Mistakes
Back-to-school can bring fear of failure or perceiving they’ve done something wrong. When your child makes a mistake, respond with curiosity instead of criticism. This encourages your child to see mistakes as something to learn from and develop a more positive, forgiving view of themselves.
“Everyone messes up. What do you think you could try next time?”
5. Include Mental Health in Your Family Conversations
Make emotional well-being a normal part of family life. Talk about emotions as something healthy, not something to hide. Share stories of your own emotions that day. The more you normalize these topics, the safer your child will feel bringing up their own struggles and coming to you for support when they’re struggling.
When I woke up this morning I felt so scatter-brained I was nervous I might forget something important. But then I remembered there’s nothing so big I can’t handle one step at a time.
When to Reach Out
If your child’s anxiety or stress feels like more than you can manage alone, don’t wait to seek support. How do you know when it’s become too big? If your mornings are consistently derailed, you’re frequently late to school due to meltdowns, or you’re getting regular calls from the school nurse or counselor, it may be time to take a closer look. While it’s normal for kids to get emotional, persistent episodes—especially those lasting more than 15 minutes and happening multiple times a day—can be a sign that they need extra support. Counseling can offer tools, language, and guidance to help children and families navigate these big emotions together.
At La Luz Counseling, we’re here to walk alongside your family. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can support you and your child this school year.
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