A new school year: How to stay connected with your kids

August kicks off a new school year for students from kindergarten to college. As a parent, you may be used to your typical to-do lists before school starts; buying school supplies, picking out new shoes and finishing up the summer reading lists with your kids.

While the extra tasks and expenses can add stress to caregivers, it’s important not to project that negativity onto your children, who could interpret it as apathy or resentment towards their school experience. Taking time to show enthusiasm for their upcoming school year – their classes, activities, interests and friendships, has shown to have a positive impact on their success.

Ask your child about what subjects they’re excited to study this year, and which areas of school they are less confident in. Remember to follow up throughout the year, creating space for them to express their passions and anxiety to someone who will listen. When students know that the adults in their life care about their learning, it increases their sense of self and belonging at school.

With younger kids, you can also sign them up for things like Girls Scouts or piano lessons. Or you can help them pursue their love of art or a sport. Middle and high school is where it can get tricky. Emotions and hormones are high, and teenagers can be more cliquey. This is especially important if your child has moved to a new school or new city.

Ask your teen what their interests are – and truly listen to their responses. Your daughter may be interested in chess or writing for the school newspaper, but as a teen, you played varsity soccer. That doesn’t matter. Your child is their own person! So, finding a way to nurture their interests through a club or lessons can help your teen find friends with similar interests. Participation can bring a new sense of belonging and accomplishment.

Maybe your child is interested in learning a new activity. Dancing, knitting, coding computer classes, learning how to cook or speaking a new language are all fun, low-stakes activities. By supporting their unique interests, you help your children feel connected to the community.

Research has shown us that participating in group activities can be key to learning life skills, such as time management, dependability, social and emotional growth, resilience and self-confidence. Connectedness can also help alleviate lonely feelings and bring joy to kids, and adults, of all ages.

If you have a child in your life experiencing suicidal ideation or darker thoughts, please seek help. Youth Villages Specialized Crisis Services has specially trained, master’s level crisis counselors available 24/7 to respond to crisis calls. Crisis staff provide the assessment and evaluation of the child, connecting them with a mental health clinician to help determine the best course of action for the child. Youth Villages will follow up with parents and providers within 24 hours of the initial crisis call.

Get help! Support services for teens in Middle Tennessee:

TN Crisis Hotline (855-CRISIS-1) or 1-855-274-7471
TN Crisis Text Line (Text TN to 741-741)
Youth Villages Specialized Crisis Hotline (1-866-791-9222)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Youth Villages is one of the largest providers of services to children in Tennessee and a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health. The organization has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. Learn more at www.youthvillages.org.