When Back-to-School Anxiety Affects You Too

The start of a new school term can feel like a storm of emotions. Some children run through the gates with excitement, while others cling tightly, tears streaming. If you’ve ever walked away from drop off with your heart in your throat, you’ll know how hard it can be.

Why it feels so overwhelming

Children can struggle with worries about friends, teachers, or the unknowns of a new classroom. Anxiety is a natural response to change – it’s the body’s alarm system. Even though school is safe, their body acts as if there’s danger.

But what often gets overlooked is the parent’s experience. You’re the one holding steady while they’re falling apart. You’re the one walking away, wondering if you’ve done the right thing. It can feel unbearable.

The parent side of things

It’s important to say this: if you’re exhausted by the morning battles, if you feel guilty about leaving them in tears, if you dread the school run - YOU ARE NOT FAILING. You are human.

Your feelings matter just as much as your child’s. It’s normal to feel torn between empathy for their distress and frustration at the disruption. It’s normal to feel relief once they’re finally through the door and then guilty for feeling that relief. You don’t need to carry all of that silently.

When it feels like too much

If every morning leaves you drained, if the guilt or worry is keeping you up at night, or if you feel like you’ve run out of patience, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you need and deserve support too.

Counselling can be a space just for you, to let out the tears you’ve been holding in, to untangle the worries and to find some breathing space. Sometimes, when parents feel more grounded, children pick up on that sense of calm too.

A final reassurance

Back-to-school anxiety can feel endless when you’re in it, but it doesn’t last forever. Many families go through this and with patience and support, things do get easier. Your child is learning to manage big feelings and you’re doing the same.

You don’t have to do it all alone. If you’d like a space to talk it through, I’m here to help.

With warmth,

Sian 🙏🏼

Inner Space Counselling