Here’s How to Overcome the End-of-Summer Fear and Get Excited Instead

Going back to school or work after all the fun you’ve had over the summer is definitely not the best feeling in the world. However, it doesn’t have to be that bad. In this article, you will find out how to get excited about autumn and handle the end-of-summer anxiety.

The Reason for Back-to-School Anxiety

Psychologist Sarah Spannagel, PhD, says that children are so overwhelmed with classes, homework, after-school activities, and even part-time jobs that it’s normal for them to get anxious when it’s time to go back to all of that. What parents can do is help them realize whether they feel excited, nervous, or both. This can significantly reduce their stress. Something that might help is reading back-to-school books or buying school supplies.

The end-of-summer fear happens to parents too. Being busy with school or work activities is quite a task, so everyone feels a lot freer during the weekends and summers. That feeling leads to a sense of “safety” during the summer, says parenting and youth development expert Deborah Gilboa, MD. She also shares that “kids can feel anxious about possibly losing that comfort and autonomy”.

How to Handle the Anxious Feeling

Dr. Spannagel suggests completing any summer duties like homework slowly so students have fewer things to worry about when the school year approaches. However, you should still enjoy summer — so make sure you break it all up into small chunks. She also advises asking your children about their feelings and offering to help them.

Another thing to remember is that adults can have back-to-school anxiety, too. This may even make your relationship with your children stronger and help you overcome the stress together. Take a few hours each Sunday to tackle your tasks together. Adults can meal prep or go through emails while kids start on their homework.

Let the Feelings Out

Gilboa’s advice is to not tell children how they should or shouldn’t feel in stressful situations. Don’t try to convince them that school is great and there’s nothing to be upset about.

By doing so, you might make them think that their feelings aren’t valid. She also says that if your child has end-of-summer anxiety, something about home feels safe, which is a sign of good parenting.