Feeling Stressed During Back-to-School Season?

Parents of school-aged children (K-12)  know that the end of July and August can be extremely stressful and chaotic as they prepare their children to either begin primary school for the first time or head back for a new school year. By now, most children in Georgia have started their new school year and parents have attended the Open Houses, met new teachers and classmates, bought school supplies, confirmed bus routes and times, wiped morning tears away as they say goodbye, and many have arranged – or are trying to arrange – after school care and activities.

Let’s be real: Back-to-School season is exhausting!

And soon you will be coming up on the six-week parent-teacher check-in meetings, you’ll receive a barrage of flyers and emails asking you to join parent and volunteer groups like the PTA (which you totally should), provide room snacks and ALL THE THINGS. All the while, you may have younger children who need your attention or to be dropped off at and picked up from child care as you manage your own work schedule and other responsibilities.

Can we say it again? This time of year is exhausting!

Parent needs are often overlooked and ignored during this time of year as the focus is often on preparing the children for an easy start. We know that you are stressed, excited, anxious, relieved and experiencing so many other emotions depending on the time and the day. We get it . . . which is why we wanted to share some reminders and ideas to help our busy parents make the most of their time and alleviate some stressors.

5 Stress Management Tips for Parents

1. Reach out for support. Need help with making ends meet or affording groceries? Ask a trusted source or counselor at your child’s school about local or state resources such as food banks, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, affordable WiFi programs, and etc.

   Social support is important too as parenting is much easier when you have family, friends and neighbors on your side or who can offer help. (Remember our advice above about joining the PTA? It, along with other volunteer and parent groups help expand your social connections and allows you to give and receive support as needed.)

2. Talk with your employer about having more flexibility during the week to accomplish all your personal and professional tasks. Also, ask what programs they have for working families. For instance, do they offer back-up child care services when your child’s school has a teacher workday or your regular caregiver is sick?

3. Safeguard your mental health and family well-being. Be aware of your stressors, identify what helps alleviate them, and try to avoid passing your stress to your kids. Set healthy boundaries. Block out your “me” time. Ensure you and your kids are eating healthy and getting enough sleep each night. Share your worries with a good friend or partner. Exercise and/or spend time in nature.

4. Extend grace to yourself, your children, your child’s school staff . . . to everybody. We all mess up, miss a deadline, flunk a test, run late, yell at our child, or forget an appointment. It happens. Be gentle with yourself and others as this is a really busy time and others may be having a hard day too.

5. Plan ahead for child care and/or afterschool programs. When you know your child is being nurtured and taken care of in your absence, it allows you to focus on your work and be more productive. Plan ahead for when you need child care. Visit programs. Ask questions. Ensure you have backup care if your normal care falls through.

For additional suggestions and resources, see below:

• Quality Care for Children’s Strengthening Families

• Find Help Georgia

• Let QCC Help You Find Child Care with 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (877-255-4254) and Quality Rated

• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

• Georgia Crisis & Access Line: For access to services and immediate crisis help, call (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225, available 24/7.