The frenzy and excitement of starting a new school year has come to an end. Now What? It’s been about a month or so since that “first day of school” picture was taken. The picture that parents love and teens groan about! The excitement and frenzy of starting a new school year has started to slow. But as the exuberant energy of starting school starts to calm down and settle, sometimes irritability and challenges materialize. Issues and struggles are no longer hidden in the exciting activities of summer or in the frenzy of beginning a new school year. This is the time, about 4 to 5 weeks in, when the excitement of starting a new school semester is over and life becomes a “seething cauldron” or “boring” depending on one’s perspective. Problems start to pop their heads up and begin to set in motion new frustrations, irritations, and struggles.
Anxiety, overwhelm, perfectionism, exhaustion, self-doubt, academic struggles, anger, bullying, friendships, social isolation, depression, and many other things begin to pop up in the lives of children, pre-teens, and teenagers. Energy levels, attitudes, and behaviors may change and begin to decline as kids try to balance and make sense of family, school, social interactions, and extracurricular activities.
Finding new positive rhythms early on in this new school year is important. Patterns and predictability calm the nervous system and help with self-regulation. A well-regulated child or teen is happier and can better navigate the ups and downs of a busy life.
If your child or teen is having problems at school, it’s important to pick up on problems early and address them. Sometimes professional counseling may be needed. Sometimes just more family connections and support do the trick. Spiral Roots LLC currently has openings for child therapy and teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA if you feel your child or teen needs more support. Call 540-416-1628
Following are some tips to help your kids stay regulated as they continue to adjust to the New School Year. Find more support through teen therapy and Child therapy in Harrisonburg VA at Spiral Roots LLC
If you notice that your child or teen is starting to have behavior changes, sound or look depressed, or develop an attitude, the first line of defense is to make sure that you as a caregiver are actively making a point to be present.
Show them that you are there for them, see them, and hear them.
This will look different depending on the age and personality of your child or teen. They may push you away. However, every teen and child desires to be connected to a safe adult on some level. It is an underlying need of childhood and adolescence.
Show them that you care and understand.
Work together to help them find a rhythm to their schedule that works for them.
Empower them to think about and explore what type of daily pattern makes the most sense for their personality and fits with their individual needs. Make sure that schedules are not too over packed.
Schedules that are predictable help ease anxiety and help ease friction in the home.
Be aware of your expectations as caregivers and of your kid's expectations for themselves. Are their expectations reasonable and doable? Are yours?
Encouraging adequate downtime, limiting screen time, and encouraging positive social interactions and activities with people of all ages are important.
The teen brain is under constant construction and needs to “borrow” wisdom from wise adults around them as they figure things out with their peers.
Spend time with them.
Sometimes the deepest connections and conversations with children and teens occur in the most ordinary, shared moments.
Shared space and shared times such as driving around together, doing errands, or walking in the park create moments of opportunity. Making time for playing and working together is powerful. When was the last time you played a simple game of cards or made a meal together?
Spending time together with your child or teen is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver and it does not need to cost a lot of money!
Finally, are your children and teens learning to care for themselves physically? Meaning, are they getting enough sleep? Are they eating balanced meals? Are they getting enough movement? Are they being invited to engage in creativity, and are they encouraged to experience the “Aws” and wonders of life? Are you modeling a healthy lifestyle for them?
All of these suggestions help create a healthy balanced rhythm to life.
A healthy, balanced rhythm in life provides support and creates safety.
Feeling supported and secure is a bedrock of mental health and growth. So, as you step out of the fray of the beginning of the school year and enter “ordinary daily life” remember to create a balanced, predictable, fluid rhythm of life that is peppered with moments of excitement, play, creativity, and aw both for yourself and for your child or teen.
If your child or teen is facing struggles that are beyond the typical adjustment to a new school year, Spiral Roots LLC currently has openings for child therapy and teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC is a child, teen, and family therapist in Harrisonburg, VA. Melissa uses integrated approaches of experiential therapy, play therapy, expressive arts, family therapy, nature-based therapy, sand tray, and cognitive behavior therapy. Melissa has multiple certificates in working with Trauma.
Call Melissa today at 540-416-1628.
@spiral roots counseling
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