03/09/2026
Back to school, changing seasons, and big feelings 🍂🎒
As the new school year begins, it’s not just children who can feel a little anxious. Parents can too.
For children, returning to school can bring excitement alongside worries about new teachers, friendships, routines, separation, homework, or simply the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
For parents, there can be their own mix of emotions..... Will they settle? Will they be okay? Am I doing enough?
And then there’s the change of season. The lighter evenings gradually disappear, routines shift, and summer’s slower pace gives way to earlier mornings and fuller schedules. Change, even positive change, can place extra demands on our nervous systems.
A few gentle reminders:
Expect an adjustment period. It’s normal for children (and adults) to need time to settle into a new routine.
Make space for feelings rather than trying to fix them. “It sounds like you’re feeling worried” can be more helpful than “There’s nothing to worry about.”
Bring back routines gradually. Consistent sleep, meals, preparation and downtime can help children feel safer and more settled.
Look after your own anxiety too. Children often pick up on the emotional atmosphere around them. You don’t need to be perfectly calm, simply modelling how to acknowledge and manage your own feelings can be powerful.
Remember that transitions take time. A difficult morning, a tearful goodbye or a wobbly first week doesn’t mean your child is struggling overall. Give yourselves permission to find your rhythm.
The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety. It’s to help children learn that “I can feel worried, and I can still cope.”
Wishing all the children, parents and carers a gentle start to the new school year. 💛