Helping Our Children Survive Their School Years

Helping Our Children Survive Their School Years

By Nancy Kelsey Smith

With the school year having already started for most and on the verge of starting for many, problems that were "tucked away" during the summer months are now back in full force. Parents often battle mixed emotions as they send their children off to school, happy to have them back on a scheduled routine and sad that they'll see less of them for the next 9 months. First time mothers of kindergartener's are often reluctant to accept that their little ones are now going to be "out into the world", realizing that they are stepping into new territory from which there is no turning back. For others, the end of summer hasn't come soon enough. For the millions of two working parent families, covering the bases for their kids during the summer months is a tough assignment.

But what about the kids? How are they feeling about beginning a new school year? Again, there are mixed reactions. Summer can get long and boring if there isn't enough to do to keep one occupied, so many are eagerly anticipating being reunited with the friends they haven't seen for the last 3 months. For others, the summer season could go on forever because they love the freedom and the lack of schedule.

For better or worse, it's time for school again and that brings with it a myriad of concerns such as teacher to student ratios in the classroom, school budgets or lack thereof, the barrage of homework that parents usually need to supervise to some extent and the safety factor that unfortunately has become a pressing issue in the last few years in our nation's schools. Another legitimate concern is for the emotional well being of our children. Findings from pediatrician, Dr. Peter Gorski, indicate that children as young as 6 years old (and even younger) deal with mental health issues which manifest themselves in disruptive behavior, attention deficit problems, and major depression. He states that as many as 10% of all students will have an occurrence of significant mental anxiety at one time or another during their school years. These are not conditions that we wish to see our children face.

Being aware is the first step in dealing with the issues and as parents and teachers become better informed early steps can be taken to eliminate or at least minimize the problems. Mental Health America urges action when students exhibit the following disorders; constant fidgeting, decline in school performance, frequent irritability, temper tantrums, persistent nightmares, worry and anxiety.

Professional health may be required to address extreme problems but for the "normal" anxieties that plague our children there are some things that we as adults can do. We can acknowledge that there is a problem and not try to pretend that it doesn't exist. Encourage conversation. Parents, look for ways to spend time with your kids where you can just talk. Examine yourself and how you deal with stress. Do your children see a good example? Suggest that your child start keeping a journal where they can freely express their thoughts and feelings. Encourage exercise and involvement with sports - both are great stress busters. Keep tabs on what your kids are viewing and hearing and be willing to discuss what is inappropriate or harmful with them. Give them your unconditional love... always.

As adults, we're well aware of the dire consequences that can result due to inabilities to deal with the constant and sometimes overpowering pressures of daily life and want to equip our children to be better able to handle these burdens.

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