Helping Kiddos Handle back-to-school Stress

Backpacks are packed, new shoes are tied, and school bells are ringing again. For many children, the first weeks of school bring excitement, a chance to see friends, learn new things, and step into another year of growth. But for many families I work with, this season also carries a quieter truth: back-to-school can be overwhelming and full of dread.

The transition from the rhythms of summer to the structure of school isn’t always simple. Bright lights, loud hallways, new teachers, and changing routines can create a perfect storm for stress especially for kids who experience the world with heightened sensitivity. For some, that stress looks like tears or meltdowns. For others, it hides under the surface as stomachaches, headaches, or the sudden insistence that they just don’t want to go.