parenting

Back-to-School Stress Is Real

As the school year begins, many children and teens experience added stress—new teachers, changing routines, social pressures, and heavier workloads can all take a toll. For families already managing emotional or behavioral challenges, the back-to-school transition can feel especially overwhelming. Parents may notice more mood swings, resistance, or anxiety during this time. While there’s no perfect formula, there are practical steps you can take to ease stress and support your child at home.

Start with the Basics

Before assuming your child is being “difficult,” check whether something simple might be causing distress—hunger, thirst, fatigue, overstimulation, or feeling unwell.

Pick Your Battles

Not every behavior needs correction. If it’s simply annoying but not harmful, it may not be worth an argument. Save your energy for the issues that truly matter—like safety, respect, and responsibility.

When you do need to step in, stay calm and be matter-of-fact. Children often mirror the emotional tone of their parents; if you can keep your voice steady and neutral, they are more likely to de-escalate.

It can also help to set clear expectations ahead of time. For example: “We’ll leave the park in ten minutes” gives your child time to adjust, rather than facing a sudden transition. And when possible, offer simple choices: “Would you like to start your homework before or after dinner?” This builds a sense of control and cooperation instead of conflict.

Create a Supportive Environment

Home should feel safe, structured, and encouraging. Praise what your child does well, show affection, and model healthy ways of handling conflict.

Encourage Open Communication

Let your child know they can come to you with worries or problems, and listen without judgment. Their concerns may feel small to you but can feel very real to them.

Respond Calmly in Crises

A child who is overwhelmed cannot rely on reason. Use a soft voice and simple directions like:

– “Take a deep breath.”
– “Come with me.”
– “Tell me what’s going on.”

Your calm presence helps them regulate.

Teach Coping Skills

Encourage your child to practice healthy strategies for managing stress—like deep breathing, journaling, or taking a walk. Use mistakes as learning opportunities by asking, “What could you try next time?”

Address Troubling Thoughts

Kids sometimes misinterpret situations or worry excessively. Help them reality-check their fears, and if anxiety or depression seems persistent, consider professional support.

Keep Routines Steady

Consistent sleep, morning, and bedtime routines reduce stress.
– Children ages 6–13 need 9–11 hours of sleep each night.
– Teens ages 14–17 need 8–10 hours each night.
Add a healthy, low-sugar breakfast to help improve focus and energy at school.

Stay Mindful of Tone

Conversations go further when you approach them with care rather than blame. Avoid accusatory language and show concern instead.

Seek Support

You don’t have to do this alone. Each state has Family Run Organizations that provide advocacy, resources, and training for parents.

Find your state organization
Local Mental Health America (MHA) affiliates also offer education and support: 

Building Resilience at Home

These tips can’t eliminate all challenges, but they can make home life calmer and more connected—helping both you and your child build resilience. Adapted from Mental Health America.

Let’s be honest — screens are everywhere. From tablets and smartphones to TVs in waiting rooms, it feels impossible to keep our kids away from screens 24/7. And for parents who need just five minutes to make dinner or answer an email, handing over a tablet can feel like a lifesaver.

But how much is too much when it comes to screen time for our littlest ones?

Why It Matters

We all know screen time can be fun (and sometimes educational!). But for kids under 5, too much of it can actually slow down their language development and social skills. Little kids learn best by interacting — chatting with you, playing pretend, exploring the backyard. When screens take over, they miss out on that hands-on learning.

So, What’s the Limit?

Most experts, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest avoiding screens altogether for kids under 18 months (except for video chatting with Grandma — that’s totally fine!). For kids ages 2 to 5, they recommend about an hour per day of high-quality content, ideally watched together so you can talk about what they’re seeing.

Quality Over Quantity

It’s not just about how long they’re watching — what they’re watching matters too. Shows and apps designed for young children can help them learn new words and ideas, especially if you sit with them and chat about it. Think Sesame Street over mindless YouTube scrolling.

Tips for Keeping Screen Time in Check

Let’s be real — no parent is perfect, and screens can be helpful in moderation. Here are a few ideas to help keep things balanced:

• Make screen time interactive. Watch with your child and ask questions.

• Set up screen-free zones. Keep mealtimes and bedrooms device-free.

• Offer other activities. Have art supplies, books, or building blocks handy.

• Be a good role model. Kids learn from watching you — so put your phone down too!

At the end of the day, a little screen time isn’t the end of the world. But being mindful about how much (and what) your child watches can make a big difference in their early development.

So go ahead — enjoy a cozy movie morning or a quick video call with family. Just remember: nothing beats good old-fashioned playtime, a messy craft project, or a backyard adventure.