Back to School: The Anxiety Olympics We All Signed Up For
Ah, back to school. That magical season where parents simultaneously cry tears of relief and despair while kids transform into tiny philosophers asking, “Why does school even exist?”
Let’s be honest, September doesn’t arrive gracefully. It crashes in like a drunk raccoon rifling through your recycling bin. Suddenly, you’re knee-deep in forms, lost water bottles, and the soul-crushing hunt for a specific brand of duotang that apparently determines your child’s entire academic success.
The Kids’ Anxiety
Kids handle back-to-school anxiety in their own unique ways:
• The Negotiator: “What if I just don’t go and learn on YouTube instead?”
• The Over-Packer: Brings 47 pencils, 3 erasers, and enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse.
• The Sleepless Philosopher: Lies awake the night before school whispering, “What if no one likes me?” (while parents whisper the same thing in their heads).
The Parents’ Anxiety
Meanwhile, we parents are doing the Anxiety Tango too:
• Will they make friends?
• Will their teacher be kind?
• Am I already the weird parent because I wrote “don’t forget deodorant” on their lunch napkin?
• Do I pack kale chips or give up and go full Goldfish Crackers?
Spoiler: they’ll survive either way.
The Great Equalizer
The truth? Everyone’s nervous. Kids, parents, teachers—even the dog who suddenly has to nap in an empty house. Back-to-school is just one giant collective “what if.”
But here’s the secret weapon: treat anxiety like glitter. It’s annoying, it shows up everywhere, and it never truly disappears—but with the right perspective, it can sparkle.
• Validate it: “Of course you feel nervous. New things are scary!”
• Normalize it: “Pretty much everyone feels this way, even your teacher.”
• Laugh at it: Because if you can laugh about mismatched socks and forgotten permission slips, you’re already winning.
Final Bell
So if your household feels like an emotional rollercoaster right now, know you’re not alone. The truth is, back-to-school anxiety isn’t a sign something’s wrong—it’s a sign you care. And in a few weeks, routines will settle, friendships will form, and the chaos will feel (mostly) manageable.
Until then, keep the coffee flowing, keep the humour handy, and remember: September is just August wearing a scarier costume.