How to Help Your Child Manage School Stress (Even Months After Back-to-School Season)
- nurturingwellnessl
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
If your child seemed fine at first but now resists school, you’re not alone. Many families experience a mid-semester slump once routines set in. The key isn’t to remove the fear — it’s to help your child build confidence that they can handle it. Here’s how.
School’s in Full Swing — But the Stress Might Be Too
The first-day excitement has worn off. Homework piles are growing, social circles are shifting, and mornings are getting harder again. Around this point in the year, kids often hit a wall — and so do parents.
That doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It means the nervous system is catching up with change. Anxiety and resistance can flare once the “new” wears off and the real expectations set in.
At Nurturing Wellness, our clinicians (including Katie and the Child & Family Therapy team) see this every fall: kids trying hard to stay regulated, parents wondering how to help. Here are practical ways to reset.
Regulation Starts With You
Kids co-regulate with the adults around them. When you can slow your breathing, speak calmly, and model grounded energy, your child’s nervous system picks that up.
💬Try saying:
“It makes sense that you’re feeling nervous about school today. Remember how brave you were when you started soccer? You can do brave things again.”
Your calm doesn’t erase their fear — it shows them they’re safe even when things feel uncertain.
Your calm presence helps anchor your child’s nervous system — you don’t have to fix the feeling, just make space for it.
Validate, Don’t Over-Accommodate
It’s tempting to fix discomfort, but when we rescue too quickly, we accidentally reinforce avoidance. The goal is to communicate: I get it — and you can handle it.
Instead of:
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
💬Try:
“I know this feels hard, and I believe in you.”
Small steps matter. Walking into school, talking to a teacher, staying for half the day — these brave moments build long-term resilience.
Remind Them: Brave and Scared Can Coexist
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s action despite it. Encourage independence in small doses.
💬 Try saying:
“You were so brave walking in yesterday. I know you can do it again today.”
This shifts their internal story from “I’m anxious” to “I can do hard things.”
Normalize the Mid-Semester Dip
Everyone struggles sometimes — even adults. When your child realizes they’re not alone, it reduces shame and builds perspective.
Normalize it:
“Lots of kids feel nervous about school sometimes.Feelings don’t last forever, and you have tools to help."
Create a Toolbox Together
Build a calm-down or “courage” kit together:
Deep breaths
Grounding games
Affirmations
Comfort item in their backpack
🧩 This collaborative approach tells your child: We’re in this together.
Celebrate Small Wins
Every small act of bravery is worth noticing. Avoid focusing on perfection — focus on effort and recovery. Progress in anxiety work is rarely linear, but it’s always meaningful.
When to Reach Out for Support
If school anxiety is lasting weeks, causing meltdowns, or affecting sleep or friendships, professional support can help.
Our Child & Family Therapy team in Sunbury serves families across Central Ohio and virtually throughout the state. Together, we help kids and parents build confidence, emotional regulation skills, and calm routines that last.
Parent FAQs
Why is my child suddenly anxious about school again?
Anxiety often resurfaces once routines feel familiar. It doesn’t mean regression — it’s a normal adjustment phase where deeper worries surface.
How can I calm my child’s anxiety before school?
Regulate yourself first. Kids mirror your nervous system, so your calm helps theirs settle.
Should I let my child stay home if they’re anxious?
Avoidance feels good short-term but makes anxiety grow. Validate the fear, then encourage gentle exposure — even a partial day builds bravery.
When should I consider therapy?
If anxiety lasts more than a few weeks, interferes with sleep, appetite, or friendships, or leads to daily battles, therapy can help your child gain coping skills.
Do you offer therapy in person or virtually?
Yes — our Nurturing Wellness clinicians see families in-person in Sunbury, Ohio, and virtually throughout the state. Book a consultation →
Final Thought
You don’t have to erase anxiety — just help your child believe they can manage it.
If you’re feeling stuck, reach out. Our team at Nurturing Wellness is here to help your family reconnect, recalibrate, and find calm again.
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