Many kids start new school year at September 1st. A lot of them are waiting anxiously to meet their friends, but many are afraid to go to school. Maybe they are starting at the new school or they just don’t like their school and their “friends”. They might be bullied or ridiculed by their schoolmates.
What can you as a parent do about it? How can you help?
- Listen to your child! If he or she complains about school, try to figure our what is really going on. Is he nervous about meeting new friends, maybe new teachers or is it something more serious? Does he have problems with the learning and thinks that he can’t cope with new stuff? Is he lonely and has no friends?
- Attitude is everything! Let him think of different ways to see the situation. What good can it come our for him? How can the situation be viewed from different angles and different points of view. Think about many different ways. Try with many questions, especially that start with What if… For example if he is afraid of new teachers, try with questions like ‘what if you already knew this teacher?’ ‘What if the teacher was your friend?’ ‘What if this teacher likes you best?’ and so on. Think of as many different questions as possible.
- Encourage your kid to come up with the solution! Now when you see the problem through different angles, what could he do about it? What steps can your kid make to come out of the situation as the winner? Let him think of different ways to cope with the problem. Help him find more ways to deal with it. There are always many solutions to one problem. It is important that he finds our his preferable actions, that he is most comfortable with. Of course you want to intervene if he comes with something negative or damaging.
- Stand by Your child! Whatever he decides to do, encourage him to follow through. Help him with the action steps and encourage his willingness to improve the situation. Maybe some actions requires your cooperation or that you do something for him. Be there for him, but don’t do everything for him. Be part of the solution not its main part:)
