5 Ways to Deal with Back to School Jitters!
Even though kids have been back to school for a little while now, I think this advice can be saved and brought out - either for Back to School or for other applications in which the kids are scared to try something new!
My kids were super excited - Mommy was the scared (ahem...sad) one! But after hearing a few others talk about the back to school jitters I came up with a few things that you can do to help alleviate the fears.
Jitter Critters
You can call them critters, you can call them "warm and fuzzies", but the trick here is to talk about them with your child either the night before or the morning of, tell them if they feel nervous, grab on to the critter, give it a squeeze, and you'll feel a little better. These are simply pom pom balls, you can get them from craft stores or the craft section of most department or super stores.
Worry Stones
Sometimes little kids carry big worries. It's hard as parents knowing we can't be with them all the time, so something you can do is to give them one of these smooth craft stones. You can find them in a bunch of different places - I found them at the dollar store. From family experience these worry stones do help. Tell your child that worries are rough and scratch, but rubbing the smooth stone in their hands will make the worries slippery and they can slide away.
Mommy and Me Bracelet
This one is just as good for Moms with separation anxiety as it is for the kids. You and your child can craft up two beaded bracelets together, one in adult size, and one in child size, then on the school day, you wear yours and your child wears theirs, and together you are connected all day through matching bracelets. Your child can look at the bracelet and feel closer as they will know you are wearing yours.
Piece of My Heart
"I miss you when I'm at school" can be a heartbreaking statement to hear from your kiddo, so here is something I've done with my kids. In the past I've had to travel for work, and my kids miss me while gone, what I do to help ease their sadness is to give them a red felt heart and safety pin it to something they'll be able to see or feel it often. You can pin it to their backpack, the inside of their jackets, wherever you please. I told my kids this was "Mommy's heart and to know my heart is always with you".
Lunch Box Note
This is a simple classic, but the lunch box note is another staple idea to surprise your kids and let them know you are thinking of them. Can't draw? Who cares? Your kids certainly don't! Regardless of what it says or looks like, seeing the little note in their lunch box will certainly bring a smile to their face and help ease their jitters away.
Have any tips or tricks that have helped your child with the back to school jitters? Visit Tried! on Facebook and comment on this post to help share and spread ideas with others!
Tried! And Succeeded!
