End of School Year Stress

The temperature is rising, which means summer is almost here! Though there is so much excitement in the air, the start of summer also comes with a lot of stress. There are concerts, school projects, championship games, and graduations – all of which happen in rapid succession. End of school year stress is real, not only for kids, but also for parents. These activities, along with planning for summer vacations and figuring out how to entertain kids while they’re out of school, creates an endless to-do list. 

Kids are surely counting down the minutes until the last bell rings and they can storm out of the school doors, however, they may be feeling anxiety about the next school year, changes in their routine, and not seeing their friends all summer. Summer break represents a significant change in routine, and change is hard no matter how old you are. 

Stressed out parents may unintentionally pass their stress to their kids – kids can tell when their parents are overwhelmed and stressed while planning a summer trip or even picking up popsicles for field day. It is important to communicate with your kids and listen to how they are feeling about the end of the year and what their concerns are. You can encourage them to take time to do a fun activity they love and spend time outside in the sun. Moreover, creating a schedule and marking dates in a calendar can be helpful so everyone has time to prepare for activities. 

Lastly, remember not everything needs to be perfect and prioritizing your mental health with self care practices like exercise or meditation will minimize stress and will allow you to enjoy a fun and relaxing summer.