Columbia, MD Mom Shares Tips for Parents & Kids Coping with Back-to-School Transitions
Back-to-school season can be a rollercoaster. For kids, it’s a mix of excitement. New teachers, new friends, new possibilities (and a little bit of nerves). For parents? It’s often the same, with a sprinkle of: How am I going to get everyone out the door on time?
Transitions like this are big. They shift our routines, our energy, and our emotional bandwidth. After months of summer freedom, adjusting to a school schedule can feel like a shock to the system for the whole family. And that’s okay (it’s completely normal to feel both excited and overwhelmed).
That’s why (as a mom who has been there) I’m sharing some of my go-to tips for making the back-to-school transition smoother for your kids and for yourself. I’ll cover ways to:
Help your children feel more confident
How to recognize when they’re feeling stressed
And how to keep yourself grounded along the way
NOTE: I’m not a medical or mental health professional. These tips are based on personal experience. If you have concerns about your child’s mental or emotional health, please consult a qualified pediatrician, therapist, or counselor.
Easing the Transition for Kids
When kids know what to expect, they feel more secure (and less anxious) about what’s ahead. Here are a few simple ways to help them settle into a new school year with confidence:
Practice morning routines early. Start shifting wake-up and bedtime schedules a week or two before school starts.
Do a “practice run” to school. Whether it’s walking, driving, or riding the bus, this helps them visualize the big day.
Show them key spots. Point out their bus stop, drop-off location, or even where you’ll pick them up.
Talk openly about what to expect. Discuss the fun stuff and the new rules or changes.
Read books about the first day of school. Stories can make new experiences feel familiar and exciting.
These small steps reduce the fear of the unknown and give kids a sense of ownership over their new routine.
I read an article from PBS Kids that shares, “Creating routines can guide positive behavior and aid with transitions like the beginning of the school year. They also are a great idea for parents, as they help reduce power struggles and can bring you and your child closer together.” This is something that TOTALLY resonates in my house!
How Kids Show Stress (and What You Can Do)
Kids don’t always say, “I’m stressed.” Instead, they might:
Have more meltdowns or emotional outbursts
Seem irritable or easily frustrated
Withdraw from activities or friends
Show extra clinginess or separation anxiety
Act hyperactive or “wired”
When you notice these signs, remind yourself, and them, that these feelings are normal. Stress isn’t always a bad thing.
Validate their feelings by naming them (“I see you’re feeling nervous about tomorrow”) and offering reassurance that the first few days can be the hardest… but it will get easier.
Coping Tips for Parents
Your kids aren’t the only ones adjusting (you are, too). It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of lunches, schedules, and permission slips, but your well-being matters just as much.
Take intentional breaks. Even five minutes of quiet can help reset your mood.
Acknowledge the hard moments. You don’t have to push through with a smile every time. It’s okay to say, “This is a tough morning.”
Know your triggers. If mornings are stressful, prep as much as possible the night before.
Focus on presence over perfection. Your child doesn’t need you to solve every problem. Just being there makes a difference.
Reminder: Take Care of You First
Before you can show up fully for your kids, you need to show up for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Pause. Breathe. Give yourself grace when mornings go sideways or emotions run high. Your calm presence sets the tone, and kids thrive when they know their caregivers feel grounded and supported.
So here’s to a school year filled with smoother mornings, gentler transitions, and those small wins (like seeing your child walk into school with confidence) that make it all worth it.
Interested in more back-to-school content? Check out my blog, Back-to-School Shopping? Visit Howard County Helped Me Find the Best Local Spots
