August 2015


Back to School - Worrying or Wonderful?      
   
"Happy New School Year!"  If you have school aged children, you know that going back to school marks an important time for you and your children.  Back to school can invoke wonderful memories - shopping for a new outfit or uniform, buying the coolest school supplies, or taking that first day of school picture with a new teacher.  Unfortunately, going back to school can also trigger very negative feelings and emotions.  Bullying, high-stakes testing, and changing schools are examples of situations or events that may cause stress for you and your children.  Like all parents, we want to shelter our kids from negative experiences.  However, one of the biggest determinates of how children will respond to the new school year is our parental perspective.  

According to Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell, "your parenting mindset just might be the most important way to impact your children's learning and development" (www.rootsofaction.com).  Thinking about this reminds me of interactions between my son, Corey, and me.  This time last year, he was beginning middle school, and I can remember my absolute terror.  Corey was leaving the safe and nurturing world of Carrollwood Elementary School for Orange Grove Middle Magnet School.  Though my husband Steve and I had done our research, taken our tours, met the administration, etc..., I knew Corey was going to have more independence and freedom which translated to more responsibilities and exposure to "the real world."  My heart wanted to bubble-wrap Corey and protect him from any and everything bad and icky.  My brain, however, knew it was time to let him take this important step towards adulthood.  In the end, Corey had an amazing sixth grade, middle school experience.  He met wonderful teachers and friends, learned incredible skills and discovered hidden talents that would never have surfaced if my mindset had forced him into bubble-wrap!

If you are struggling with back to school issues like I was last year, please check out our great articles focused on this very topic. We have child development information centered on school readiness as well as articles on bullying awareness and violence prevention.  As always, 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide information and resources to help you with back to school issues. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is here to ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone.  I hope this newsletter helps to alleviate some of your back to school anxieties so that you and your children can enjoy "the most wonderful time of the year"!

Clara