Back to School Anxiety
Whether you have kids starting or returning to school, or even if you don't, the fall season typically is packed with new routines and schedules for you. The shift in weather, extracurriculars, and entering into the holidays can be very exciting and also very stressful.
I personally LOVE the fall! It's my favorite season especially living in the midwest. But it's definitely always very busy and can easily enter into crazy and leaving me feel overwhelmed. Somehow, all those fun signups and new school routines sound so exciting at first and then quickly regret and exhaustion set in.
Mama, if you are already feeling overwhelmed in “all the things” it takes to get setup for this new season, you aren't alone. The mental load that mom typically bears can be so heavy.
Many of my clients tell me how anxious their kids become even before starting school. Which of course, makes you anxious thinking your kids are worried. If you have an incoming kindergartener, or a returning student and they are expressing nervousness… I have just the free ebook for you!
The mental load is a real thing in motherhood but it doesn't have to be. As I've talked with moms recently, a common theme has popped up.
Somehow, moms tend to be the ones to fill out all the school forms, do all the school shopping, signup for the fall activities etc etc.
The conversation reminded me of Episode 10 with my guest, Amy Kiefer. We talked candidly about the invisible mental load in motherhood. Amy provides insight and resources to encourage us to communicate to our partners that we don't have to do it all.
If you don't want to feel as overwhelmed heading back into the school season, Mama, it begins with us inviting our partners into supporting us in raising our kids and taking care of our households.
This book is a great one to read on this topic as well: Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Back to School Books for Anxious Kids:
Here are some of my favorite books for anxious kids heading back to school.
Books for Anxious Kids:
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn: This is a beautiful book aimed towards younger kids (think preschool, kindergarten or 1st grade). Would be wonderful for a daycare kiddo too.
What to Do When you Worry Too Much: A great book for elementary age kids.
Everyone Feels Anxious Sometimes: A story specifically about worries going back to school.
Favorite Back to School Basics
As a mom with 2 kids in elementary and 1 in preschool, I've learned already about a few of my favorite school items. My kids love these and I hope yours will too!
Favorite Backpack has to be from Pottery Barn. These have been so durable for us and worth the cost. I have yet to have one get a hole in it and we just pass them down. We used the mini size for preschool and then the large for elementary. Highly recommend!
I've never loved the bento boxes (I can't fit my kids food in the spaces) but we've done reusable baggies and then I look for a good lunch box that can fit a slim ice packs inside too.
As far as lunch boxes, when kids are young I really let them pick whatever. Since we aren't using bento boxes much, this lunchbox is similar to the ones we've used over the past 6 years.
Mama, as your kids head back to school and your family transitions into new routines, remember that each season will look a little different.
It’s ok to feel nervous about the unexpected but you don’t have to let it be in charge of you or your kids.
I hope all of these resources, links and the free ebook help you have a successful start to your school year!
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