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Conquer School Anxiety

LaPorterAugust 25, 20192 Replies

School, Anxiety, Children, Parents, Symptoms, Affirmation, Self-Reflection, Journal Prompts — pixabay

Together may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly. – Unknown Author

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Where did the summer go? I’m still trying to get back on track after our Alabama road trip last week. It was so nice to see my niece, Mariah and her grandparents. Well, fast forward to this week. I have been trying to prepare my boys for the first day of school. I cannot believe my boys return to school tomorrow.

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In preparation for my boys returning to school, I could not help but think about back to school anxiety that some children experience. Some children may feel anxious about going back to school after a long summer break or others may be nervous about starting school for the very first time. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility as parents to comfort our children as much as possible during this difficult time.

CAUSES OF ANXIETY IN CHILDREN

Here’s three types of school anxiety children may face:

• Separation Anxiety – When a child refuses to go to school. This type of anxiety occurs in about 4.5% of children ages 7 – 11. This type of anxiety stems from excessive worry.

• Test Anxiety – This type of anxiety is usually related to a fear of failure. Also, this type of anxiety can continue into adulthood and take other forms of performance anxiety.

• Social Anxiety – This type of anxiety is also known as social phobia and can occur in children as young as 13 years old.

SIGNS OF SCHOOL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN

Believe it or not, there are many signs that may exist in children who are experiencing school anxiety.

Here’s some signs to look for:

• Sleep problems, such as nightmares, panic, fear, and uneasiness.

• Tantrums when left at school or other places.

• Headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

• Dry mouth, stomachache, nausea, cramps or vomiting.

• Tense muscles and complaints about body aches.

• Difficult to stay calm and still.

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MANAGING SYMPTOMS

Like any challenge in life, managing anxiety symptoms will take research and commitment on your part. Remember, everyone is different so it may take some time before you find what works for you and your child.

Here’s some helpful tips that may help you control or lessen the symptoms:

• Tip 1: Cut down on foods and drinks that have caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and chocolate. Caffeine is a mood-altering drug, and it may make symptoms of anxiety worse.

• Tip 2: Feed your child healthy foods, make sure they are exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep to help improve their mood.

• Tip 3: Make sure your child follows a relaxing bedtime routine and stick to it.

• Tip 4: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies. Unfortunately, many contain chemicals that can make anxiety symptoms worse.

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HELPFUL TIPS TO CONQUER SCHOOL ANXIETY

Now, I will be the first to tell you that it will not be easy to conquer school anxiety.

Here’s some tips to help you during this difficult time:

• Tip 1: Organize your home for back to school and allow your children to decorate the space. For example, you can create a comfortable homework area to make them feel more in control and relieve some of their anxious feelings.

• Tip 2: Get your children involved in the back to school process. For example, allow your children to make their own lunch, choose their own snacks, pack their own backpacks or choose their own school clothes.

• Tip 3: Help your child feel more comfortable about his new school environment and routines. For example, plan to take your children to visit the school and talk about the basics, such as teacher name, room number, lunch time, recess, etc.

• Tip 4: Highlight the things that make school great and positive. For example, making new friends, scheduling playdates, becoming more independent, getting new school supplies and clothes. Most importantly, allow your children to talk about their feelings. Remember, don’t talk, just listen.

• Tip 5: Make sure your children get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet. This will help the brain function better, improve their mood, and increase the ability to focus and pay attention during school hours.

• Tip 6: Involve your children in fun school activities, such as sports, music lessons, after school clubs, etc.

Remember, back to school anxiety is real, normal and understandable. Try to remind yourself that any anxiety your children may be feeling is only temporary. Before you know it, you and your family will be conquering school anxiety as you embark on a successful school year. If for some reason parents cannot help their children cope with back to school anxiety, make sure to seek the help from a health professional or a local support group.

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DAILY AFFIRMATION

Be the best version of you. – Unknown Author

It’s important to lay a positive and stable foundation. The best way to do this is to speak positive words out of your mouth daily.

Here’s an example of an affirmation that you can speak into your spirit:

I inhale positive energy and exhale any fears. I will not worry about things that are out of my control. I am no longer afraid of what could go wrong. I focus on what is going right. I will calmly think of solutions to any problems that may arise. I can handle anything that comes my way.

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Stay patient and trust your journey. – Unknown Author

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Now, open your journal or notebook and practice journaling each day by using these helpful journal prompts:

• How do you define anxiety?

• What are some ways to help you overcome anxiety?

• What brings peace into your life when you’re feeling anxious?

• How do you plan to comfort your children during anxiety episodes?

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Let’s talk. How do you help your child cope with anxiety? How will your family’s routine change during back to school time? Please share your honest response in the comment section. I cannot wait to hear from you.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Back to School Anxiety

LaPorterAugust 26, 20185 Replies

Together may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly – Unknown

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Where did the summer go? I cannot believe my boys return to school tomorrow. In preparation for my boys returning to school, I could not help but think about back to school anxiety that some children experience. Some children may feel anxious about going back to school after a long summer break or others may be nervous about starting school for the very first time. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility as parents to comfort our children as much as possible during this difficult time.

girl, crying, sadness, lonely, anxiety, school — pexels

Here’s some tips to ease back to school anxiety:

Tip 1: Organize your home for back to school and allow your children to decorate the space. For example, you can create a comfortable homework area to make them feel more in control and relieve some of their anxious feelings.

Tip 2: Get your children involved in the back to school process. For example, allow your children to make their own lunch, choose their own snacks, pack their own backpacks or choose their own school clothes.

Tip 3: Help your child feel more comfortable about his new school environment and routines. For example, plan to take your children to visit the school and talk about the basics, such as teacher name, room number, lunch time, recess, etc.

Tips for Anxiety Relief – FREE TIPS

Tip 4: Highlight the things that make school great. For example, making new friends, scheduling playdates, becoming more independent, getting new school supplies and clothes. Most importantly, allow your children to talk about their feelings. Remember, don’t talk, just listen.

Tip 5: Try to be home more during back to school time. Plan to spend some quality time talking with your children about their school day. Discuss any concerns and answer any questions that they may have.

Tip 6: Make sure your children gets enough sleep and eats a balanced diet. Getting adequate sleep and eating a healthy diet is important for brain function, mood, and the ability to focus and pay attention during school hours.

girl, meditate, breathing, anxiety, school — pixabay

Panic/Anxiety Attack

Use this breathing exercise if you or your child experience a panic/anxiety attack:

• Breathe in for 4 seconds
• Hold your breath for 7 seconds
• Exhale breath for 8 seconds
• Repeat once or twice more

Remember, back to school anxiety is real, normal and understandable. Try to remind yourself that any anxiety your children may be feeling is only temporary. Before you know it, your family will be back in the groove and planning for a successful school year. If for some reason parents cannot help their children cope with back to school anxiety, make sure to seek the help from a health professional or a local support group.

Back-to-school deals. Valid 8/26-9/1.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
How do you help your child cope with anxiety? How will your family’s routine change during back to school time?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Where do WE go from here?

LaPorterFebruary 17, 20184 Replies

Where do we go from here? As a concerned parent, I struggle with my emotions related to the constant gun violence within our schools around the country. I thought a school was supposed to be a safe place for our children to learn, to dream, to imagine, and to grow friendships. However, every time I watch the evening news, there seems to be yet another tragedy plaguing our hearts, another story of senseless violence toward our children. Unfortunately, our children are no longer safe when they attend school because people are violating this safe zone to terrorize and murder innocent people for their own selfish gratification. What makes matters worse, is these stories seem to be the norm in our communities…in our cities…in our states…all over the United States of America! Our elected politicians only want to discuss this issue when there is another school shooting that takes place. Do you notice this trend too? Quite frankly, one death should be too many! Every American should be outraged at how our politicians are handling these kind of life changing events. These tragedies can happen anywhere. The next time it may be a school in your area, just a thought.

Where do we go from here? I honestly think that we need to discuss the root of the problem, in my opinion…MENTAL HEALTH! I don’t know about you, but I hear mental health come up in every last one of these mass shooting stories. As I look at the mental health programs in our community, or the lack there of, mental health is the first program to have funding cut and our politicians always choose to close the mental health facilities. I often wonder where people go that need this mental health resource? Unfortunately, these people have to deal with their own personal issues and they live right in the midst of our neighborhoods. We will never solve the gun violence as a whole because we do not have control of every person that owns or gets a gun in their possession, but we could make an attempt to reduce the number of casualties and/or school shooting events around the United States of America if we only had courage to do so, just a thought.

Where do we go from here? Well, I feel that we should go back to the basics: love, family unit, and prayer. This is truly my inspirational twist to such a serious problem that exists everywhere in the United States of America. First, where is the love and compassion for one another throughout our communities? I was taught that charity begins at home. We have to teach our children to love themselves so they will be able to love others. Also, we have to teach our children how to respect themselves as well as others, and their property. Remember, we cannot be afraid to correct our children when they are wrong. We must continue to embrace them with love and nurture them to the fullest. Second, where is the strong family unit? I remember the saying “a family that prays together, stays together”. When was the last time your family prayed together? When was the last time you sat down and talked with your child and/or a young person? Communication is very important and don’t under estimate our children. Remember, our children are little people that exists in a cruel and harsh world. Third, when do we pray together besides in church? Personally, I think we should put prayer back into our schools so that our children could have a spiritual covering throughout their day, but that’s my opinion. There is so much confusion and chaos within our schools and It seems to be getting worse, not better. After all, our children spend a great deal of time in school, so we need to give them hope again by offering a more positive and safe educational environment.

We don’t have control of gun violence, but we should have control of our households. Strive to meet the need of anyone, young or old, that may be suffering from mental health issues. Don’t just turn a blind eye to the situation. Do the right thing and find some help in your local community. If you are unable to find the services, contact your state or county and demand services be provided. Don’t forget your child’s school as well. The school may have mental health contacts to provide to families too. Finally, let’s begin sending letters and making phone calls to our politicians. I believe our children are worth it. After all, they are the future for tomorrow, right? I would love to hear your opinion about this matter. Please leave a comment so we can discuss this very important topic on a positive platform.