Backpacks, lunch boxes and earrrrly mornings—oh yes, the school year is in full swing! In our house, there has been a little bit of excitement about this new year with new teachers and classmates; but our kids also sense a palpable anxiety over things they know are coming. Namely, the load of stress they remember from last year. Even just six weeks into the school year, they are feeling it.
Our situation is not normal: we live outside the USA and our children attend a bilingual public school, so there are many stressors unique to our particular scenario. However, every child – regardless of location and type of schooling – should acquire some basic tools to help manage their stress load so they can be free to enjoy their education as much as possible {and actually learn some stuff, too}. Here are some ways we work with our kids to help manage school stress:
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First, just breathe.
When your child feels overwhelmed, frozen, or defeated, teach him to take a few slow, deep breaths. Deep breathing is one of the best things you can do for your body to help it reset—increasing oxygen to the brain, slowing your heart rate, decreasing the fight-or-flight response.
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Set your anchor.
Sometimes the homework, class requirements and lack of sleep can make your child feel adrift at sea. Then, if you add friendship issues and teacher issues on top of that, your little one might feel she is about to crash into the rocks. Teach her to put her anchor down: have a Scripture committed to memory, a phrase to remind her of what is important, or some idea she can grab on to in order to steady her mind and emotions. For example:
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
I am the head, and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. I am blessed going in; I am blessed going out. And everything I put my hand to will prosper!
God loves me and thinks I am amazing. My family loves me and thinks I am amazing, too!
Read below for more scriptures to help you and your child put down your anchor!
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Create a mental file drawer.
Teach your child how to take all the stuff swirling around in his head and neatly file it away in his mind according to subject. Math facts? File them in the Math drawer in your brain, and go back there when you need them again. {This can be as simple or as detailed as your child needs. Does it help to imagine a folder just for multiplication inside that Math drawer? Then imagine it!} History timeline? That goes in the History drawer. It will be right there for next time. Teacher problems? Place those feelings and thoughts in the Teacher drawer, and when it is time to process those issues, he can pull out all those things again.
If our kids can learn to categorize the things that weigh on them and learn to prioritize their mental and emotional energy for the tasks at hand, the overwhelming stress they once felt can be managed much more effectively. One step at a time, one assignment at a time, one day at a time.
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Pray.
Help your child understand that prayer is simply a good conversation with God. It is the way we roll the heavy burdens off our backs and give them to our big, strong heavenly Father who cares for us. I tell our children all the time that emotions {good or bad} are the perfect fuel for prayers to travel to God. Help your child take her sadness, anxiety and other feelings straight into prayer and pour out her heart to God. He hears, He knows, He cares—and He answers.
School can be very stressful for our wee babes. Instead of just expecting the meltdowns, let’s try to equip them on-the-job by giving them tools and strategies that bring peace to their hearts.
Some additional verses I speak into my children to help anchor their souls:
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NKJV
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Psalm 118:6 NLT
The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Has the school year hit your family like a crashing wave? What are some other ways you help your children manage school stress?
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