Easing Your Child Into School Mode: How to Avoid the Sunday Scaries After Vacation
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Does your child have a hard time returning to school after the weekend or a vacation? This post is for you.
Going back to school after spending lots of time at home or with friends and family can be hard on anyone. A little bit of night prep goes a long way the following morning.
Here are some phrases to help your child prepare:
We spent so many days in bathing suits and tomorrow you'll be wearing school clothes. That feels different!
I'll get my work bag and your school bag ready, while you layout our shoes and coats by the door.
Let's pick out your outfit tonight so tomorrow will feel easier.
Should we have cereal or toast for breakfast tomorrow?
What song should we listen to on the way to school?
Open conversation to help your child ease back into the school mindset.
Try some prompts like this to help ease their anxiety about getting back into the swing of things:
What would feel really good when you open your lunch box? You ate lots of pineapple on the trip, should we put pineapple in your lunch?
Let's spend some time remembering what it's like to be at school. Tell me about what the morning looks like...
Do you have specials on Mondays? Give me a clue and I'll guess what it is.
I'm wondering what games you and your friends will play at recess. Will you play the dragon game or do you think it'll be something new?
NORMALIZE having feelings about returning! Let your child know they’re not alone.
“How are you feeling about back to school? Your sister is excited to see her friends and not happy about her math test.”
“I'm having so many different feelings about going back to work! I'm excited to run my group program and I'm worried about reading all the emails that piled up.”
Giving your child a context for their feelings helps them move through them.
Bridge the gap between family life and school life by talking about what parts of the trip made them feel good.
What do you want to share about the trip with friends and teachers? Is there a special memento or image you’d like to bring to school tomorrow?
Finally, be empathetic about the transition and firm in the decision that they will go to school.
It’s okay to wish you could stay home. Tomorrow is a school day, and it is my job to make sure you go.
It is okay to feel sad about going back to school. Everyone feels like that sometimes.
Going to school might feel different tomorrow. I will walk you to the door and kiss you goodbye just like I always do.
Does your child get the Sunday Scaries? Tell me about it in the comments.
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As a fellow parent and a play expert, I've learned that one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children (and ourselves) is the freedom to play independently. This not only sparks their creativity and decision-making skills but also builds their confidence and trust in their own abilities.