A psychiatrist reveals strategies for managing parents' anxiety and stress during children's back-to-school transition.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in anxiety and stress among schoolchildren, resulting in chronic absenteeism, and the new school year is bringing another wave of both for kids and parents.

Experts advise parents to look for indications such as difficulty concentrating, tension, fidgeting, sleep problems, and persistent complaints about not feeling well in order to catch their children in their tracks.

Dr. Samantha Boardman, a positive psychiatrist based in New York, suggests methods to alleviate these feelings of anxiety.

In an interview with Dana Perino on Planet Chronicle on Tuesday, she suggested strategies for parents to help children deal with negative emotions about returning to school, including confronting their fears.

According to Boardman, being human increases the likelihood of experiencing anxiety, and children today are frequently exposed to the terms "anxiety" and "stress." They often express their feelings by saying, "I'm anxious" or "I'm stressed," prompting parents to intervene and ask, "What can I do to help?" However, this approach can lead to avoidance, which only perpetuates the problem.

"Exposing children to what they're afraid of is the best antidote for anxiety, yet we often accommodate their fears by offering to talk to their teacher or parent instead."

Nearly double the number of children reported experiencing anxiety from 2012 to 2020, with an increase from 11.6% to 20.5%, according to data from the American Psychological Association.

Some would argue that the rate spiked before the pandemic and, to some extent, already existed at its onset, as Boardman stated.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 78% of public schools reported unnecessary absences during the 2023-2024 school year, suggesting a possible link.

Teens in America are increasingly anxious about their smartphones, with 44% admitting that their phones cause them stress, according to Perino.

Boardman stated that the numbers align with her research findings through methods such as self-comparison.

"Comparing oneself to others can rob happiness, and it's particularly evident in young girls. 'I'm not like her. I'm not invited to that kind of gathering,'" she stated.

"High school parents often express concern about their children already having cell phones and wonder what they can do about it. Establishing boundaries and guidelines around phone usage, such as not allowing it in schools, bedrooms at night, and during meals, can help promote better sleep and prioritize family time."