It is not just adults that feel the “Sunday Scaries” as the weekend winds down and a new work week looms ahead. Students can experience these same feelings about school. They might start acting out, showing signs of anxiety or depression, or complaining about physical symptoms such as a stomachache, nausea, or restlessness.
But once they get to school or Monday passes, they feel better. It’s the dread leading up to the start of a new week that can be debilitating. There are a variety of ways that you can help your child overcome the Sunday Scaries and maintain a more positive outlook for the week ahead.
Talk It Out
Ask your child about what is worrying them. Are they concerned about an upcoming test? Stressed over a big project? Anxious about a presentation? Feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule? Sometimes just saying these things out loud can ease their mind and allow you to work together to create a plan for managing this stress.
Journaling can help as well. Encourage your child to write down their thoughts and concerns, whatever they may be. No one else has to read what they’ve written; it can be just for them to clear their mind.
Practice Positive Affirmations
Boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem through having them recite positive affirmations. This could be something as simple as, “I am prepared,” or “I can do this,” to “I am intelligent, kind, and capable.” Reading uplifting or motivating quotes can be beneficial as well.
Stay Calm
When anxiety starts to kick in, remind your child to take deep breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth. Make it part of their routine to spend time every Sunday evening listening to soothing music, reading a book, or watching a favorite movie. Keep evenings low-key so there is time to relax, unwind, and recharge.
If your child feels restless or tense, do something to keep them active and burn off that excess tension. Have a dance party, kick around a soccer ball, ride bikes, or go for a jog. This can also help tire them out, so they sleep better at night.
Plan Ahead
Sometimes it helps to know what to expect. Write out their schedule and obligations for the week. Block out time for studying or working on a project so they know they’ll be prepared and not waiting until the last minute. Double check that their bookbag is packed with everything they’ll need for the next day and lay out their clothes the night before.
Be Present
Don’t let your child get lost in their thoughts and concerns. Plan some fun activities for the weekend to help them be present and live in the moment, not worrying about what’s to come. They can’t control the future, but they can control what they’re doing right now.
Support Their Needs
Tutoring can be a great way of assuring your child that they have the one-on-one help they need to feel more confident about school and their classes. They can work with a learning specialist on specific concepts or assignments, build better note taking and study skills, and tackle test anxiety. They can work at their own pace on the areas they feel they need help with and ask whatever questions they might have.
Banish the Sunday Scaries and get your child excited for school with a customized learning plan from Crafting Scholars. Contact us today to learn more and get started!