{"id":2570,"date":"2018-09-04T16:06:51","date_gmt":"2018-09-04T15:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hypnotc.com\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2024-01-11T19:38:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T19:38:59","slug":"back-to-school-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hypnotc.com\/back-to-school-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School Tips for Parents – a hypnotherapy approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog explore the how to help children, families and others, transition during the back to school period.\u00a0 A professional hypnotherapist can offer both family and individual support during this time. If you would like to become a hypnotherapist, or perhaps refresh or upskill your existing qualifications, you can find out more about training with HypnoTC and our hypnotherapy diploma course; the ideal training for you to become a professional hypnotherapist.<\/p>\n

\nFind out more about our Hypnotherapy Diploma course<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Back to school strategies<\/h2>\n

There are many strategies that you can employ to help make the transition from school holidays to term-time more comfortable. Some are planning and organisational strategies to reduce stress and enhance quality of life. Others are making use of your child’s powerful subconscious mind and using the imagination to prepare with mental rehearsal. For some children, going back to school is a relief from boredom, or an undesirable home environment, for others that return could be really stressful<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong>Create a fabulous first day back to school<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Whether it is the child\u2019s first day at school, or they are returning for the next year, gentle preparation and guided imagination work can be helpful to positively influence what is to come. You can work together to imagine the walk to school, wearing their new clothes, using their new books, pens and bag, even having fun at break time. Even better, when this is a well-established practice, you can build in some guided imagination relating to the child successfully overcoming any obstacles or challenges.<\/p>\n

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Stay calm during the back to school transition<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Your life will be different in term-time. You may be back at work, perhaps having even more demands placed upon you. If you find yourself getting pressured, take a few minutes as time out for yourself. At the very least, take three long, slow, deep breaths and repeat a calming affirmation, such as \u201cI am calm, I am focused, I am relaxed\u201d. Do remember that exercise<\/em> is also a great stress-reducer, whether it is a walk with the dog, or even an active game of football or rounders with the kids.<\/p>\n

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Be the leader <\/strong><\/h3>\n

When you want a defined action, rather than seeking approval from everyone, for everything, (e.g. \u201cWe are going to put the toys away in 5 minutes, okay?\u201d), it can often be helpful to be factual and specific, (e.g. \u201cyou have had fun playing with your toys and now it is time to put them away\u201d). Being the leader can help build a sense of security, resulting in a calmer home.<\/p>\n

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Routines = security during back to school transitions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The subconscious mind likes routine. It has enough to do every day without having to pay attention to ever-changing routines. By creating routines (which can still be flexible) for homework, bedtime and other activities, this can build a sense of belonging and security which helps not just the child, but the parents as well.<\/p>\n

Even better is if the routines start to become established prior<\/em> to the return to school, so there is a gentle transition, rather than a sudden shock which can then be blamed on school. Routines can be mapped out on a family calendar. This can show the child that everyone has things they do. This can support family dynamics.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong>Communicate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keep everyone appropriately informed. Use your communication skills to keep people in the loop. If children and adults know what is happening, or what is expected of them, they will be more secure. As a result, they will communicate more effectively, from a position of fact, rather than emotion and assumption. If you need to, assess and work on your communication skills, to ensure you are as effective as possible.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong>Be organised during back to school transitions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It can be tempting to pile all the \u2018to do\u2019 paperwork (i.e. homework!) in a corner and save it for when you and the kids have time\u2026 only to get stressed when you have to deal with it at the last minute. Instead, allocate some time each week to clearing that pile of work. Just before you do so, a 5-10-minute period of relaxation, meditation or self-hypnosis, can help you optimally focus on the task.<\/p>\n

It can also help to prepare for things the night before, rather than spending a frantic few minutes sorting out matching socks, homework bags and car keys all at the same time, 2 minutes before you absolutely must leave! It can also be helpful (and empowering!) to encourage your child to be organised. The more they can do for themselves, the greater the impact on their self-esteem and self-efficacy.<\/p>\n

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Create social networks at school<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Attend social events and get involved with activities and events in your child’s school that interest you. If you are doing something that you hate (because you feel obliged), people will pick up on that, whereas if you are interested, so will they be. If you are shy or nervous about socialising at such occasions, then it can be helpful to use some mental rehearsal and practice how you want to behave and respond in those situations.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong>Keep expectations positive <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Share positive memories of your<\/em> time at school. If you had poor experiences at school, whether minor (e.g. not getting picked first for sport teams), or more significant (e.g. a mean teacher), or are still adversely affected by your school experiences, it can be more helpful to discuss this with a talking therapist (e.g. hypnotherapist), rather than suggest to your child that something unpleasant could happen.<\/p>\n

Would you say to a child, \u201cripping the plaster off will hurt\u201d (in which case they will be looking for the hurt), or simply distract them with something more positive. By framing school as a positive experience, the child will look for the positives rather than the negatives.<\/p>\n

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Set realistic goals for adapting back to school<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Help your child set realistic goals for what they will be able to achieve. Un-achievable goals (aiming too high, higher than can be achieved) can be demotivating. In contrast, meeting an achievable goal, can encourage greater participation and engagement towards the next goal. Using \u2018SMARTER\u2019 can be a good way to help your child set effective goals:<\/p>\n