Do parents also have "back-to-school anxiety" during the school season? No Worry!

Before and after the start of school, many teenagers may have common "back-to-school anxiety", and as parents of teenagers, they may also feel anxious. This emotion may come from concerns about children's academic performance, challenges in time management, concerns about children's social and safety, and uncertainty about educational decisions.

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How to deal with this negative emotion? Here is a guide for parents to overcome anxiety about the start of school:

01 Focus on cultivating children’s intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic Motivation refers to the natural driving force that an individual generates because of the fun, satisfaction or personal growth of the activity itself. It is a spontaneous motivation that comes from within the individual , that is, the individual feels happiness, a sense of accomplishment or self-realization in the activity. These feelings are internal and do not depend on external evaluation.

In the field of education, parents can help their children better enjoy the learning and working process and improve their self-drive by cultivating their children's intrinsic motivation, thereby achieving more lasting and in-depth personal development.

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With the start of the school year, parents may consciously or unconsciously compare their children's academic performance with their colleagues, so they often remind their children to strive for excellence in the new semester, which may inadvertently put pressure on their children. Psychological research has found that when external incentives are too strong, it may weaken an individual's internal drive . In other words, if parents overemphasize external factors such as test scores and rankings, not only will they become more anxious, but their children may also pay more attention to these external indicators, making it difficult to focus on the fun of the learning process, which is not conducive to cultivating teenagers' long-term learning and exploration spirit.

Therefore, parents should pay more attention to their children's feelings and think about how to stimulate their children's inner drive instead of simply exerting pressure, which will make it easier for themselves. This requires parents to discover and support their children's interests and enthusiasm, observe their children's behavior, ask their children about their feelings, listen to and sincerely communicate their feelings, and encourage them to pursue their goals for the purpose of personal satisfaction and growth.

02Make new plans with your child

At the beginning of a new semester, parents can help their children better adapt to school life by making family plans and schedules, while also managing their own expectations and reducing anxiety.

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(1) Sit down with your child and clarify the learning goals and expectations for the new semester.

These goals should be realistic and motivating without overwhelming your child, such as improving a grade in a course or joining a school club.

(2) Create a detailed family schedule

This schedule should include your child's school and commute times, homework time, extracurricular activities, and family time. Such an arrangement will help to organize family life and reduce the chaos and stress caused by improper time management.

(3) Hold regular family meetings

This is a good opportunity for every family member to participate in the family plan, and family members can fully share and communicate with each other. In this way, parents can not only ensure that their children have a clear direction and plan in the new semester, but also enhance communication and understanding among family members and face the challenges of the new semester together.

03 Time Management and Self-Care

In our busy lives, time management is just as important as self-care.

(1) When arranging your child's daily activities, leave yourself some precious personal time , such as enjoying a cup of coffee on a quiet morning after your child goes to school, doing some yoga after a busy workday, or listening to some relaxing and soothing music on a sunny afternoon.

(2) Maintain healthy eating habits and regular exercise . For example, pay attention to a balanced diet during the three meals a day, avoid overeating, and go hiking outdoors on weekends.

(3) Keep in touch with friends and family and participate in social activities , such as attending community parent-child activities and regular gatherings with old friends. These social interactions can provide emotional support for parents and help them find balance and fun in their busy parenting lives.

Through this kind of self-care, parents are not only better able to cope with challenges, but also support their children's development in a more positive and healthier state.

summary

Parents, don't be anxious about the new semester. Remember that every child is unique and has their own pace and growth path. By managing time properly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and actively participating in social activities, you can create a positive family atmosphere for yourself and your children. Education is a long-term race, and patience and understanding are key. Take a deep breath, relax, and welcome the new semester with your children. Believe in them, and believe in yourself!

Author: Yiyi, Master of Applied Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Reviewer: Tang Yicheng, Secretary General of the Psychology Popularization Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society

Produced by: Science Popularization China