I can smell the apple picking, pumpkins, and crisp falling leaves. Fall is in the air. Everyone seems to be moving more quickly, picking up their pace as they walk down the street, aware that lazy beach days are almost done. For parents and kids, this means new school supplies, old friends, and maybe some returning anxiety as well. The new year can be a new beginning, a time for fresh experiences, but it can also be a time when parents worry about last year’s bully, or kids start to get nervous about upcoming tests.
If you are the parent of an anxious child, remember not to let your child know you’re worried. Be open to hearing any concerns, of course, but try to project confidence that they can and will cope with whatever comes their way. If things do seem to be getting tough, this is a good time to get in touch for a booster session with your child’s therapist.