Expert Shares Strategies to Manage Parent Stress During Back-to-School Transition

Parenting expert Dr. Sheryl Ziegler is providing guidance to help parents manage the mental stress and anxiety associated with the back-to-school transition [1, 2].

This guidance arrives as many families face the pressure of shifting routines, which can negatively impact the mental wellbeing of caregivers during the school-year pivot [1, 2].

Speaking during a broadcast in Australia, Ziegler said that the transition often leaves parents feeling overwhelmed [1, 2]. The shift from summer schedules to structured academic calendars creates a period of high pressure—a phenomenon that can trigger significant anxiety for adults as well as students [1, 2].

Ziegler said that parents often carry an invisible burden of worry regarding their children's adjustment, social integration, and academic performance [1, 2]. This stress is frequently compounded by the logistical demands of the season, such as organizing supplies, and coordinating transportation [1, 2].

To combat these feelings, Ziegler suggested practical strategies to ease the transition [1, 2]. She said parents should recognize their own emotional state to prevent their stress from transferring to their children [1, 2]. By managing their own worries, parents can create a more stable environment for their children to enter the new school year [1, 2].

While the focus of the season is typically on the students, Ziegler said that the mental health of the parent is equally critical to the success of the household [1, 2]. She said parents should implement small, manageable changes to their routines before the first day of school to reduce the shock of the transition [1, 2].

Maintaining a balance between preparation and self-care allows parents to navigate the season without reaching a point of burnout [1, 2]. Ziegler said that acknowledging the difficulty of the transition is the first step toward managing it effectively [1, 2].