Spring isn’t all sunshine and marigolds, it’s chaotic for your child too.
Spring has sprung here in the Pacific Northwest. Well, at least the flowers are starting to emerge and we’re getting occasional breaks in the rain. The days are longer too. It’s one of my favorite seasons because I can feel the promise of more sunshine and time spent outside. For me, it feels like a huge exhale after long winter nights and downpours.
But when I think about my kids, it’s not all tulips and cherry blossoms. Spring brings all sorts of changes and we’re in the midst of those too. After Spring break changes the routine briefly, we have to get back into a school routine again. The anticipation of summer break looms large and so does school frustration. Instead of scratching our heads, let’s look at some reasons why.
Why might spring be tricky for kids?
Spring fever is real. That renewal of sunshine and nicer weather can leave all of us with the itch to be outside and not cooped up in class or work.
Increased academic demands hit hard in the spring. Standardized tests across the grades happen in the spring. And of course those high schoolers have PSAT and SAT/ACT tests too. Then there’s end of year assessments, finals, and grades. It’s a lot!
For lots of kids, there’s anxiety around what’s next. The summer unknowns added to breaking the routines and familiarity of their current classes make these transitions, and the anticipation of them, difficult. For some kids, summer also means a break from access to resources and meals they get at school and really need.
Spring brings a crush of extra-curricular activities. Sports practices and competitions can eat up valuable down time. End of school year events at school like dances and assemblies make this time of year a scramble of commitments both during and after school.
If a student is behind academically, spring is where they start to feel that pressure intensify. Missed assignments pile up and time is running out so there’s urgency and anxiety in getting it all done before the end. Or they stress and worry about the potential bad grades and the consequences of those.
Everyone’s tired by the spring. Teachers are running on fumes by spring and so are students and their families. Bursts of energy and enthusiasm post-spring break wane quickly so it’s hard to push through to the end. We’re all pretty spent.
Let’s be honest. There’s so much happening in our world that the news is difficult to handle. Current events, violence, genuine fear about school safety, it’s all adding to our difficulties these days. Your kids might feel real anxiety about going to school or their futures.
How can you cut down on the spring chaos?
Here are a few ideas:
It’s OK to say no. In case you need some permission, here it is. Say no to activities, events, and extras that add to the stress. Even a little bit of FOMO is better than burnout.
Communicate with teachers. If your kid is feeling overwhelmed with assignments or testing or all the end of year commotion, talk to their teachers. Ask for strategies to help get through, a change up in homework expectations, or even skipping a few things to make it easier for your kiddo.
Talk with your child around changes of routine, extra things that are happening, and any concerns they have. Early and often is best IMO.
Normalize asking for help. We all get overwhelmed and need to reach out to others once in a while. Setting that example for your kids assures them that we’re all in this together.
Reframe our own expectations. Is this a big one for you? Just because you’d enjoy or be energized by an activity or event, doesn’t mean your child will be. What brings them happiness or fulfillment? That’s what to prioritize (see above about saying no when it’s not a fit).
Seek outside support if you need it. School counselors or social workers are great places to start to help your child at school. Outside of school, check with your pediatrician for referrals.
What other ideas work for you to ease the spring mayhem?
Drop me an email and share your tricks and tips. I’m always looking for new things to try.
In the mean time, you’ll find me outside any time the sun peeks out.
