Fredericksburg Parent

14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2025 As summer winds down, the excitement of a new school year begins to build. But for many children, that excitement is mixed with anxiety, stress, or uncertainty. Whether your child is entering a new grade, chang- ing schools, or just readjusting after a summer of unstructured time, the return to school can be an emotional rollercoaster. To help families navigate this transition, we spoke with Kinsey Tyler, a school-based therapist with the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB). Tyler works with students across Fredericksburg City Public Schools, providing one-on-one therapy inside school buildings to support children's mental health where they spend much of their day. Here, she shares insight into what students are facing—and what parents can do to help. Q: What are the most common mental health challenges stu- dents face at the start of the school year? KINSEY TYLER: It really depends on what their summer looked like. For many kids and teens who struggle with interpersonal challenges—like peer conflict, setting boundaries, or social anxiety—returning to school can be really difficult. Over the summer, they may have been more selec- tive about who they saw or had time away from difficult social dynamics. Going back means confronting those situations again, which can bring up a lot of anxiety. That said, the opposite is also true for some kids. School might be their safe place. Maybe they have a trusted teacher or counselor they missed during the summer. So for them, going back is something they look for- ward to. Q: What can parents do in mid-summer to support their child's mental health before school starts? TYLER: One helpful strategy is to start easing back into rou- tines. That includes sleep schedules, meal times, and even homework habits. It doesn't have to be abrupt—but creating some structure helps reduce the shock when the first day arrives. I also recommend journaling. It doesn't have to be a long daily diary. For some kids, especially younger ones, it can be as sim- ple as tracking how they felt that day, what they did, or listing goals. For older kids, it might look more like a narrative venting space. The important part is that it's private and theirs—differ- ent from what they might post online. Q: How can parents open the door for conversations about back-to-school feelings? TYLER: Start by validating whatever emotions come up. It's okay if they're nervous or even dreading school. You don't have to fix everything—just listen. You might also share your own back-to-school memories or challenges. That can make the conversation feel less like an interrogation and more like a con- nection. And keep in mind that kids don't always open up on demand. Pay attention to the moments when they're more relaxed— maybe during a drive or while cooking dinner together. Those are good opportunities to gently check in. Tips from the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board Easing the Back-to-School Transition: MENTAL HEALTH INTERVIEWED BY EMILY FREEHLING sponsored material

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