Back-to-School Guide: Helping Children Overcome Anxiety and Bullying
Anxiety among students is more common than many realize. Research shows that 1 in 3 children will experience an anxiety disorder before the age of 18, and that statistic was gathered before 2020. With all the added pressures of recent years, the numbers are likely even higher today.
For parents, the challenge often comes not only from helping children manage anxiety but also from guiding them through the reality of bullying in schools. The good news? With the right approach, children can learn to cope, grow stronger, and thrive.
5 Tips Every Parent Should Know
1. Focus on Communication With Your Child
Children may not always share their struggles, especially if they don’t feel safe or understood. Keeping open lines of communication ensures your child feels supported. Encourage daily check-ins, ask gentle questions, and create a safe space where they can express their feelings without fear of judgment.
2. Normalize Student Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural part of life, yet too often it’s treated as something shameful. By normalizing it, you help your child feel less alone. Explain that everyone feels anxious sometimes, and show them how to tell the difference between productive and harmful anxiety that overwhelms them.
3. Talk About Bullying and How to Identify It
Bullying has always existed, and children need to know how to recognize it early. Discuss the different forms it can take, verbal, physical, and even online. By helping your child identify bullying, you empower them to seek help and respond appropriately, instead of suffering in silence.
4. Teach Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Avoiding the bully is often the first step, but children also need tools to stand their ground. Role-play situations at home to practice setting boundaries, staying calm, and knowing when to seek adult intervention. These coping strategies give children the confidence to handle real-life situations.
5. Understand School Policies on Bullying
Every school should have a clear policy on bullying, but not every parent is aware of what those policies include. Take time to review them and know who to contact if bullying escalates. If your concerns aren’t being taken seriously, don’t hesitate to advocate for your child until action is taken.
Conclusion
Anxiety and bullying are realities many children face, but they don’t have to define their school experience. With open communication, normalized conversations, coping strategies, and parental advocacy, you can lay the foundation for your child to feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.
