Guiding Your Teen Through New Beginnings: Navigating a New School Year in September

Laurie Moser . Published August 28, 2023

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I'm already noticing the colours of fall where I live. It means September is almost here. New routines, changes and new beginnings happen. I love September, it's my favourite month of the year. I love the colours, smells outside, and hope of new beginnings and change. It's also a nerve wracking, stressful and anxious time. For kids it's back to school. New grade, new school and maybe even new city or country. I always find the first day of school very emotional and I usually end up crying and that's ok.

One of my daughters is going back to school in another part of the country about as far away from where we live as she can get. Another daughter is leaving the country and going to school in Belgium. Big changes! Whether you have a kid starting a new school or just new school year, it's a big adjustment for them. If you have a teen struggling with mental health challenges, or just anxiety about changes, there are a few things you can do to make the change and adjustment easier for everyone, especially your teen.

As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your teen navigate this transition with confidence and ease. Here are seven ways to support your teen during the back-to-school period and make September a smoother ride for them:

1. Foster Open Communication

The foundation of a strong parent-teen relationship lies in open and empathetic communication. As the school year approaches, take the time to sit down with your teen and engage in an honest conversation about their thoughts and feelings regarding the new year. Encourage them to share their hopes, fears, and expectations. The key is to LISTEN to your teen. Let them share ALL their concerns and feelings without judgment or problem solving, or offering advice on your part unless they ask. When your teen feels heard, valued and understood, they will feel safe to share with you. This builds the real ground work for trust and connection.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Encourage your teen to set realistic goals and expectations for the upcoming school year. While it's natural to strive for success, it's equally important to recognize that setbacks and challenges are a part of any journey. Help your teen break down their goals into manageable steps, highlighting the importance of progress over perfection. This approach not only empowers them to work toward their goals but also alleviates the pressure that often accompanies new beginnings. This might mean a break from certain activities or hobbies that require a lot of time and commitment.

3. Create a Structured Routine

With the new school year comes a change in daily routines. Work together with your teen to establish a structured schedule that accommodates school, extracurricular activities, study time, and leisure. A consistent routine provides a sense of stability in the middle of change and allows your teen to manage their time effectively. Talk about the significance of a balanced routine that includes adequate sleep, healthy meals, and dedicated down time. If sleep is an issue, the phone might have to come out of their room at night.

4. Encourage Social Engagement

Starting a new school year often means encountering new faces and making new friends. Encourage your teen to participate in social activities, clubs, or sports that align with their interests. These settings provide opportunities for your teen to connect with like-minded peers and develop friendships. Remind them that forming connections takes time and effort, and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone to initiate conversations and build relationships. Get them to remember a time from the past when they started something new and made friends. Start small with joining just one new activity or club, especially if you have an anxious teen that gets overwhelmed with new situations and change.

5. Offer Emotional Support

Acknowledging the emotional aspect of new beginnings is essential. Your teen might experience a mix of excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. Be a pillar of emotional support by consistently checking in on their well-being and offering encouragement. Share your own experiences of facing new challenges and how you navigated them. I find that telling a funny or embarrassing story about your teenage experiences and new beginnings, helps to lighten any situation. Laughter makes everything better. Remind your teen that setbacks are opportunities for growth and that you believe in their ability to overcome obstacles.

6. Embrace a Positive Mindset

Cultivating a positive mindset is a valuable skill that can empower your teen to approach the new school year with resilience. Encourage them to focus on the potential for growth, learning, and self-discovery that a new year brings. Help them reframe challenges as opportunities to develop new skills and expand their horizons. By developing a positive outlook, you equip your teen with the tools to overcome adversity, embrace change and become more resilient.

7. Lead by Example

As a parent, your actions and attitudes serve as a model for your teen. Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change in your own life. Share your own stories of facing new beginnings and how you managed to navigate them. By showcasing your ability to handle challenges, you inspire your teen to approach their own new beginnings with confidence. Are you doing anything new, challenging or exciting this September? If not, be an example for your teen. I’m going to start ballroom dance lessons with my husband in September. I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance.

September is a beautiful, exciting and emotional month full of change and new beginnings. As a parent, your role in supporting your teen's mental health and transition into a new school year is vital. By encouraging open communication, setting realistic expectations, creating a structured routine, encouraging social engagement, offering emotional support, embracing a positive mindset, and leading by example, you equip your teen with the tools they need to navigate this period of change.

Remember, your guidance and unwavering support will provide them with the foundation they need to embrace the opportunities and challenges that September and the new school year ahead brings.

You’re the rock for your teen!