6 Ways to Ease the Back-to-School Jitters

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6 Ways to Ease the Back-to-School Jitters

No more tears! Tried-and-true methods to ease anxiety before school starts (9 Photos)

Dr. Michele Borba on Jul 23, 2012 at 3:29PM

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a Dr. Michele Borba on Jul 23, 2012 at 3:29PM

Q: My son is starting school in a few weeks. He’s becoming really clingy, and I’m feeling a bit of separation anxiety myself. What can I do to make his send-off positive and help him feel more secure?

A: That day when our kids leave us for the first time—whether they’re off to school, day care, a sleepover or camp—can be a tough parenting moment. We realize that the umbilical cord has really been severed and our babies are growing up. But saying goodbye can be a frightening experience for some kids, as well. There are big adjustments to make: learning someone else’s rules, worrying about things like where the bathroom is, getting along with other kids. It’s only natural for children to feel a little anxious. Read on for tips to help make that goodbye less stressful for both of you:

Michele Borba is the
author of The Big Book of
Parenting Solutions.
(Published by Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.)