Managing the End-of-School Year Crisis
The end of each school year comes with excitement, anticipation of the next grade or school, and various celebrations. There are performances, award ceremonies, athletic playoffs, and personal parties. All of these, as well as anticipated separation from friends, can cause feelings of crisis. These vary by student and may be greater for those who are less involved in these annual celebrations.
On top of the anxiousness that the end of the school year brings, the school years of 2020 and 2021 have had the weighty addition of the COVID-19 pandemic upending everyone’s lives. This blog discusses the typical end of school year effects, those of the pandemic years, and how to support your child with managing this time of the year.
End of the School Year Effects
Even when kids complain about going to school, the length of the day, and how boring some teachers can be, you know the importance of structure in your teen’s life. The often unstated thought at the end of each school year, is how your child is feeling because:
They’ll miss friends who are away or live on the other side of town
The extra-curricular activities they like aren’t available
Next year brings a new school, presenting lots of unknowns
A transition to high school means many changes over the next few years
Even one of these effects can make your child withdraw or become sullen because of not knowing what to do. Or, they become anxious because of summer session, or going on vacation, or anything else that is new and unknown.
The Added Stressors Due to the Pandemic
There is no way to gloss over the fact that the pandemic has involved multiple stressors. In fact, it still is! Some students are worried because their grades slipped while studying remotely. Others have family members who were affected by illness and loss of work. This might be your family, or that of one of your child’s friends.
Others stressors that have affected these school years have been:
Schools closing and then reopening, some partially
Some students studying remotely and others with hybrid schedules
All the business about bussing changes and lack of school meals, important for so many students
Parents being overwhelmed as they juggle remote working, lack of work worries, and supporting children with studies
It is no wonder that children and adults are exhausted and on edge. There’s so much to be concerned about. And being stressed means it’s hard to come up with solutions for helping your adolescent as the school year ends.
Supporting Your Teen Through the End of School Year Crisis
The last year has shown us that schedules and plans can change in a moment! In the past that may be the case for a few communities and for a limited time, such as changes due to storms. Yet, for the past year virtually everyone has been affected for months on end.
One thing many have learned is the value of planning ahead, including for the possibility of change. Tips for supporting your child with planning ahead include encouraging them to:
Make plans in advance for things to do when school lets out for the year
Have other options available in case some plans fall through
Decide how to stay in touch with friends they won’t see for a while
Find things to do locally that will be fun and/or interesting
Explore the option of volunteering for a local organization
At the same time, you’re aware of the importance of prevention. That means preventing boredom, anxiety, feeling lonely, or other concerning emotional states. This is a good time to review skills for managing feelings, such as:
Putting the principles and practices of wise mind to work for both of you by:
Talking with your teen about their rational mind and what they’re observing about the end of the school year
Reflecting on emotions that arise, including the dilemma and stress they may feel due to missing friends and teachers
Coming up with solutions by bringing head and heart together for thoughtful solutions
Creating memorable moments and healthy habits is one way to support your teen with adjusting to school’s end. These can be done at home, integrating special times with routines, such as:
Preparing a barbeque
Giving each other back rubs or hand massages
Regular walks, runs, or other outdoorsy fun
Having a consistent bedtime
Each step you take toward managing the end-of-school year crisis offers the opportunity for your teen and you to learn what is most effective for them and your family. Doing so promotes the lifelong skill of managing times of change.
Our role here at Mindful Healing is to be with you and your teen through life’s transitions such as the end of the school year. Our goal is to serve you in ways that mesh well with your values and the outcomes you and your teen are seeking.
