Summertime is a great time to rest and recharge for the entire family but for kids, lost routines can lead to increased stress and anxiety when the school year rolls back around. A local psychologist says it doesn’t have to be that way.
 
Dr. Chris Stravitsch, LMFT-S, of Rejoice Counseling Apostolate, suggests easing kids back into school routines early.   “Wind down activities at the end of summer so that there is a period of resetting prior to the new school year,” he said.
 
If children are attending school for the first time or they are going to a new school, visiting the campus ahead of time can be reassuring for a jittery child.  Attending “fish camps”, meet the teacher nights, or any type of orientations can also help reduce anxiety.  
 
An issue parents should be vigilant of as the school year starts is the siren song of extracurricular activities.  While one or two activities may be healthy, too many are a recipe for disaster. “Don’t overcommit yourselves or your children,” says Stravitsch. “If parents are stressed, it naturally causes stress on kids too,” he emphasizes.
 
Another reason to be wary of overcommitting with the extracurriculars, is that it ends up affecting children’s religious education. Whether done at home or at the parish, Faith formation requires time. If parents fill children’s days with endless activities, it doesn't leave any breathing room.  Teaching children about God and their Catholic Faith is essential for their healthy human development and spiritual well-being.
 
While no home is ever completely stress free, Stravitsch notes that the environment in the home makes a big difference with how well children are able to cope with school related stress and anxiety.
 
“A stressful home or stressed-out parents inevitably add to kids’ stress during the school day. If parents aren’t in a place of peace then neither will their children be. So that’s something parents need to honestly evaluate in themselves as they kick off a new school year,” he explains.
 
If parents want to help set up their kids for success, Stravistch says, they need to have a reasonably calm morning routine. “Parents should give their kids ample time to wake, eat a hearty breakfast, and arrive at school on time.,” he noted. “Developing the habit of preparing everything the night before will help make this possible, otherwise every parent knows how a missing shoe or misplaced backpack can make a good morning routine fall apart and crank up everyone's stress,” Stravistch emphasizes.
 
When it comes to teens, the psychologist said he can’t stress the importance of routines enough. “Being organized enables you to reasonably assess how much fits into a schedule, and keeping a schedule increases predictability and a sense of stability. Ultimately, following routines helps keep stress low,” he said.
 
Incorporating a prayer routine with children, in the evening and or morning also goes a long way in bringing peace of mind to students and is a reminder to them of how much God loves them.