Back-to-School Anxiety: Helping Kids (and Yourself) Through the Transition

The start of a new school year can be exciting — and for a lot of kids, genuinely nerve-wracking. A little worry before the first day is normal. But when anxiety starts to take over mornings, bedtimes, or stomachs, it's worth a closer look.

What's normal — and what's not

Most children feel some jitters that ease within a week or two. Watch for signs that go further: frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause, trouble sleeping, clinginess, meltdowns about going to school, or outright refusal that lasts.

How you can help

• Keep mornings calm and predictable — a steady routine lowers anxiety more than any pep talk.
• Validate the feeling instead of arguing with it: “It makes sense to feel nervous; I'll be here after school.”
• Take it in small steps rather than forcing a big leap.
• Protect sleep — tired kids worry more.

When to reach out

If the anxiety lasts beyond a few weeks, keeps your child home, or is wearing the whole family down, support helps. For younger children especially, working with parents is often part of the plan.