Understanding and Easing Back-to-School Anxiety

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:10:51 GMT

Helping children navigate school-related worries with patience, routine, and support.

The new school year is underway. The backpacks are packed, lunches are prepared, and the first-day-of-school excitement has hopefully begun to settle into a routine.

But for some children, going back to school can bring more than excitement. It can bring anxiety, worry, and uncertainty.

As parents and caregivers, one of the first things we can do is take a moment to consider our own feelings. Are we anxious about sending our children to school? Are we worried about bullying, school safety, academics, or whether our child will fit in? Children often pick up on the emotions of the adults around them, so recognizing and managing our own anxiety can help us better support them.

What Might Be Making Your Child Anxious?

Children can experience anxiety about many different aspects of school. They may worry about:

Making friends or fitting in
Being accepted by their classmates
Having a good relationship with their teacher
Understanding their schoolwork or completing homework
Adjusting to a new classroom or school environment
Feeling safe and comfortable at school

For a child, these concerns can feel overwhelming. What may seem small to an adult can be a significant source of stress for a child.

Routines Can Provide Comfort

One of the best ways parents can help reduce back-to-school anxiety is by establishing predictable routines.

A consistent morning and evening routine can help children know what to expect. Prepare as much as possible the night before—lay out clothes, pack the school bag, and prepare lunch. In the morning, allow enough time for getting dressed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.

The routine shouldn't end when your child gets to school. Whenever possible, establish regular times for coming home, completing homework, eating dinner, relaxing, and going to bed.

Children often thrive when they know what comes next.

Family time can also provide an important opportunity to connect. Even a few minutes each day or every other day to sit together and talk about what went well, what was difficult, and how everyone is feeling can help children feel heard and supported.

Listen Before You Try to Fix

If your child seems anxious about school, take their concerns seriously.

It can be tempting to say, "It will be fine," or "Don't worry about it—just go to school." While these comments are usually meant to reassure, they can unintentionally make a child feel that their concerns aren't important.

Instead, ask questions and listen.

Try to understand what is making your child uncomfortable. Is there a problem with a classmate? Are they struggling academically? Are they having difficulty connecting with their teacher? Are they feeling overwhelmed by the school environment?

Sometimes a child may have difficulty explaining exactly what is wrong. Be patient and give them the opportunity to share their feelings without judgment.

Work Together With the School

If anxiety continues, reach out to your child's teacher or school counselor. What you see at home may be different from what teachers see in the classroom. They may be able to identify challenges or behaviors that aren't apparent outside of school.

Some children may benefit from additional academic, emotional, or behavioral support. In some cases, a child may need a different approach or school setting.

The important thing is to understand the problem before deciding how to address it.

Stay Positive and Supportive

Above all, try to remain positive and supportive. Avoid being punitive when your child is struggling with anxiety. Instead, try to understand where they are coming from and help them develop the tools and confidence they need to manage their concerns.

With consistency, communication, patience, and support from both home and school, children can learn to feel more comfortable and confident in their school environment.

A new school year brings new challenges, but it also brings new opportunities for growth, friendship, learning, and building self-esteem.

Wishing all of our children and families a healthy, happy, and positive school year!

Watch the original YouTube video from Oct 3, 2023 in which this blog post was based off on the JFS YouTube page!

Turning Generosity Into Impact

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:15:16 GMT

Donating Cars and Real Estate

Among the most impactful contributions are donations of vehicles and real estate—gifts that not only provide substantial support for our programs but also offer unique financial benefits to the donor.

For many supporters, a car, truck, or even an RV that is no longer needed can become a lifeline for someone in our community. Through our partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), donors can contribute almost any type of vehicle—running or not—with ease. One simple call to the toll-free line (1-877-537-4227) initiates the entire process. Pickup, towing, and paperwork are all coordinated at no cost to the donor. Once the vehicle is sold, the proceeds directly support the essential services that JFSNEPA provides, from mental health counseling to food assistance and safety-net programs. Donors also receive the necessary documentation to claim a tax deduction for their charitable gift.

Real estate donations offer another powerful avenue for contributing to our mission. For individuals or families who find themselves with property they no longer use—or wish to transfer to a meaningful cause—JFSNEPA can accept a wide range of real estate gifts. These include residential homes, rental properties, commercial buildings, vacation homes, farmland, and undeveloped land. Donors often find that giving real estate not only creates a lasting legacy but may also reduce carrying costs, eliminate the burden of maintenance, and provide potential tax advantages. CARS assists with the evaluation process and supports donors through the necessary steps to complete a gift of property.

Whether it is a car sitting in a driveway or a piece of land waiting for its next purpose, these contributions become more than assets—they become hope, support, and stability for individuals and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

At JFSNEPA, we are deeply grateful for every donor who chooses to uplift our community through these transformational gifts. To learn more about donating a vehicle or real estate, contact us at 570-344-1186 or info@jfsnepa.org.

JFS NEPA

Understanding and Easing Back-to-School Anxiety

Helping children navigate school-related worries with patience, routine, and support.

Turning Generosity Into Impact

Donating Cars and Real Estate