August 2024: Adjusting to Back to School: Tips for Parents
Hey, Practice Families!👋
It’s back to school season! I know that some of your families have already kicked off the school year, and others of you will be resuming your normal school year routines after Labor Day.
In my house, we have a third grader and a new kindergartner… and as I write this (on day two of our school year!), I’m just reflecting on the way in which back to school can be such a time of big feelings. Change– and things that are new and unknown– can be hard for all of us! The start of school means a new classroom, a new teacher, and new expectations– plus, of course, a huge shift back into a structured routine and learning demands that are much different than the demands of summer.
For all of these reasons, back to school season is often a season of big feelings. Kids are nervous and unsure about what to expect. The school day is more taxing in terms of attention and energy, so they’re tired. We’re feeling more pressure to get out the door and get places on time (and managing the mental load of lunches, schedules, after-school activities, etc) and we’re overloaded. And we’re all more likely to have trouble staying cool, calm and collected.
This note is just a reminder that back to school season is just that– a season. Our kids will adjust to their new routines, their new classrooms, the new expectations. Our job as parents is to be calm, patient, and kind, toward our kids and toward ourselves. To enforce bedtimes, to feed and hydrate our kids and otherwise meet their foundational needs, to keep things simple and low-key (for our kids and for ourselves!), and to take deep breaths when we need them.
We’re here for you as you ride out this wave– and here for you during the school year ahead!! We have a few really exciting new things coming at Practice this fall if you’re looking for support, either for your kids or for yourselves.
Our fall groups are open for registration in both SF and Mill Valley– Mighty Minds, Middle School Social Dynamics, Behavioral Parenting, and a brand new Social Skills program (this fall for 3rd to 5th grade students identifying as girls– with more groups coming next year!).
We are expanding our Mill Valley location, and adding additional offices in our current building off Sycamore Park! (This means that we’ll have more room in our Mill Valley groups and more room for individual work with Marin-based clients, so please help us spread the word!)
Last, but definitely not least, we are re-launching our psychoeducational assessment services, with openings for testing as early as September (so call now to get your child on our list!).
Wishing all of you and your families a wonderful start to the school year ahead!! Our team at Practice is on this journey with you every step of the way.
Warmly,
Nina Kaiser, Ph.D.
Founder, Practice San Francisco
P.S.-- we have a handful of openings for individual therapy for kids, teens, and adults remaining in both our San Francisco and Mill Valley locations, but this is our busiest time of year and our open slots are going quickly. If you or your child/teen are looking for individual support, please reach out and connect with our intake coordinator today.
