Anxiety Rears its Ugly Head: Peeking into School Re-Entry
Historically around this time, many children and parents begin to feel varying levels of anxiety regarding
the ‘Back to School’ season. Back to School means more structure, more demands, and higher expectations on
everyone. In the face of COVID, these anxieties become significantly heightened as we observe and experience the
confusion over new procedures being put in place to protect our children. For parents, the anxiety surrounds the
anxiety of whether or not we should send our children back to school and whether it’s safe. What will happen to
their academic and social skills if we don’t send them? What will happen to their mental or physical health if we
do? As if parenting wasn’t difficult enough, now we are faced with weighing risks between health, finances,
social/emotional development, and academic success. We aren’t in this alone, as children pick up on our anxiety
which can become unmanageable for them, when it can even be unmanageable for us. Here are some suggestions
for navigating this difficult decision and doing what parents want to do: protect our kids.
We know this is a personal decision, and there is no definitive right or wrong answer. We hope that some questions
and guidelines will assist parents in making the decision on how best to support their children during this time.
• How have discussions of COVID-19 impacted your child’s mental health thus far?
o Look at how your child has handled these discussions for cues on making this decision.
• When thinking about your child as an individual, what would work best for them and them only?
• Is your child more of an independent learner, or do they benefit more from the structure of a classroom?
• Does your child have the mental flexibility to manage a hybrid schedule?
• Do your trust your child’s pediatrician or therapist to hold a discussion about this with them?
• What is your district policy regarding disinfecting? Does it make sense to you, personally?
• If you’re a working parent and don’t want to send your child back into school, can you discuss with other
parents to see what’s available for alternative learning/tutoring?
• How has your child discussed feelings about returning to school?
o Open a dialogue about how they feel in either direction.
• Talk to other trusted adults/parents who can give guidance
• When school begins, give your child time to talk about how they’re feeling regardless of where they are
• Talk to your child about whether safety guidelines are being followed in their school once they begin
classes.
• Continuously check in with your child in the weeks and months following the decision you made together
• Setting up a support system for your child with either school social worker or independent therapist,
whether your child is in person or remote.
• Keeping your children connected with other children, especially if they are learning virtually.
• Take your own temperature about how you’re feeling about each option, and voice concerns about
school procedures and safety guidelines.
• Consider your child’s opinion and thoughts, especially if they don’t align with yours.
• Do not be swayed by public opinion!
• If you have a child struggling in school, and a break from bullying or academic pressure may be helpful,
don’t hesitate to use this time if it’s in their best interest.
• Discuss and role play boundaries and how to keep themselves safe in school
o (sharing snacks/drinks, close touching/hugging with peers, asking others to wear their masks,
etc.)
• Take your children’s concerns seriously-you don’t have to change your mind but be patient, validating,
and try to find a compromise or solution if possible.
Remember, these are uncharted waters and we will be learning as we go. This goes for our kids and us as adults.
Your child can only be comfortable with a decision if you are too!
