PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Back-to-school anxiety is common. Dr. Bahar Hashemi, a psychiatrist who treats children and teens, said there are strategies that parents can implement to help.
Hashemi said the first way to help is to encourage communication and to be an active listener by not interrupting, paying attention, and maintaining eye contact.
Hashemi said validating feelings is important. Showing empathy without judgment, even if you don’t agree, helps. Avoid trying to fix the problem right away.
“Sometimes parents want to jump in and make it better,” Hashemi said about prioritizing active listening, and she added that what helps is “really helping to understand what your child is feeling.”
Hashemi also recommends establishing consistent routines for sleeping, meals, and homework to help reduce anxiety.
Hashemi also suggests observing if the child is displaying any symptoms such as withdrawal, excessive self-doubt, a lack of interest, and difficulties making connections.
“Really leaning into that intuition that you have about your child and knowing when it’s time to seek help from a medical professional,” Hashemi said. “It’s important.”
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