Many students, caregivers, faculty and staff members may be struggling with the thought of preparing for the anticipated return to in-person learning this school year.

For most of us, summer vacation started later this year. It left some people feeling as though they haven’t had a chance to decompress from all of the challenges from the year before.

We know the thought of entering school for the first time as a young child — starting at a new school, leaving for college or returning to school under “normal” circumstances — can be stressful, and the pandemic has certainly increased the anxiety some of us may be feeling.

If this resonates with you, rest assured, you are not alone! It’s a normal response to very abnormal circumstances this year. Transitions can be difficult for everyone involved, especially when we don’t know what to expect and focus on the things that are outside of our control. Even those who have never struggled with anxiety in the past may experience symptoms during the pandemic for these reasons, leaving many questioning what’s “wrong” with them.

Again, I say this is normal, and it’s important to acknowledge what we’re feeling so we can apply effective strategies to reduce or eliminate those feelings in a healthy way. 

The CDC offered the following recommendations for parents with children transitioning back to school:

• Take care of yourself and attend to your own needs regularly so you’ll be better equipped to take care of others during stressful times.
• Connect with other parents whose children attend the same school or program who can share information that might help you feel more comfortable.
• Try to remain calm and reassuring during the transition. Use a calming voice and relaxed face and body to help the child feel safe and calm.
• Talk with your child’s teacher about the best way to separate from your child at the start of the day.  They suggest brief goodbyes are often the best. Children with special needs may need extra time to adjust.
• Practice exercises that promote resilience and reduce anxiety, such as mindfulness activities.
• Remember that this is a phase. Building new relationships is a skill, and children can be resilient with support.

Parents with concerns can:

• Establish routines with regular times for healthy meals, naps, and bedtime at night.  Having a rested body and knowing what to expect at home helps children cope.
• Talk to a healthcare professional if your child’s anxiety symptoms or problematic behaviors are severe or persistent.
• Contact a mental health professional to explore options to help manage your stress.

Children are observant and learn, in part, by what’s modeled by the adults around them. Parents and caregivers can provide the best support for their children when they deal with COVID-19 calmly and confidently.

Talk to your child about the pandemic on a level they can comprehend, validate their feelings and allow them to ask questions. If you don’t know the answer, research it together. Limit your child’s and your own exposure to media coverage as this can increase anxiety. 

We look forward to safely connecting with others and adjusting to “the new normal” as we return to school. It’s important to focus on things within our control, and understand that others are facing some of the same challenges.

If you or a member of your household would like to talk about anxiety or any other life challenge, please call Methodist Healthcare EAP at 901-683-5658 to schedule an appointment. All sessions are being offered via telehealth until further notice.

Karole Shorter, LCSW, CEAP

Supervisor

Karole Shorter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. She is a member of the Employee Assistance Professional Association and active in the community. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida A & M University, and master’s degree in social work from Florida State University. Karole has counseled children and adults in outpatient settings for twenty years, and was the social services director for a nursing home in Florida before moving to Memphis with her family in 1999. She joined the EAP staff in 2006, and was promoted to EAP Supervisor in 2019. Karole enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling.