With kids back to school this week many of us are anxious about a change of routine and getting ready to return to the classroom. We chat with journalist and mental health writer Bryony Gordon and asked her her top tips for dealing with back-to-school anxiety as mums.
Q:Hi Bryony, how are you feeling about the kid/s returning to school this month?
Hi Mumernity! It’s lovely to meet you!
I must say, I love spending extra time with Edie over the school holidays but when you’ve been asked to play UNO for the 800th time in a day I think… school isn’t all that bad, is it? “…another game of UNO mum!” …Why did we go on holiday with your friends if you’re not going to play Uno with them!?
I did a recent Instagram post in partnership with Haliborange, the UK’s number one kid’s vitamin brand, for their #ItsAllNormal campaign asking my followers for their top tips and advice for other parents whose kids are starting school.
I mentioned in my post that I started rehab the day before my daughter started reception, and strangely that was an amazing thing for us because it showed us that anything goes, from people with two mums to people who don’t know their biological mum, to people with mums in recovery. It allowed my community to open up about some of their experiences, and here’s some of the beautiful advice that was given:
1. If you’re a working parent, know that you are not alone in feeling left out.
Know you’re not alone in feeling left out because you can’t attend coffee mornings and the like. Don’t be afraid to mention on class WhatsApp groups that you would appreciate some meet-ups at work-friendly hours. And remember; you are a great parent regardless of employment status! Every single parent or carer at the school gate comes with their own baggage, even if you can’t see it.
2. Don’t overplan after-school events
Reception kids tend to be exhausted at the end of the day, so hold off signing them up for extra clubs for the time being, and don’t worry too much about fatigue-induced tantrums! When having tricky conversations with children, always start by reminding them they are safe and loved
3. Don’t stress about meeting teachers.
Remember that the teachers are as nervous as the kids!
4. Remember you are about to get a whole new community – and community is everything!
Q: As a mum and author, how do you find time to juggle work and life balance?
I find childcare is very helpful! I wish more parents would be honest about that – childcare, that’s how I manage to do it. I don’t know how anyone juggles work and parenting without outsourcing! My job is very flexi, so I’m lucky in that respect. I do ringfence weekends and evenings to proper time with my family, but whatever works for you works for you and it is all normal.
Q:You’re a massive advocate for mental health but it can be difficult as mums to find time for this with kids-how do you work on your mental health with a busy family?
I think actively reserving ‘me-time is so important. For me, my ‘me-time is exercise. Just getting out for an hour by myself or with a mate. Failing that, if I can get in an Epsom salt bath, eat dinner, watch an episode of something and get into bed and read, that is my absolute joy and so amazing for my mental health.
Q: Can you tell us about Haliborange’s #ItsAllNormal campaign?
Haliborange has conducted research as part of their #ItsAllNormal Back to School campaign that’s shown since starting school, more than a third of kids have started asking more about their family set up and questioning what is ‘normal’, with 89% of parents believing this is down to school being the first-time kids are seeing other family units outside their own.
Haliborange is here to remind us, parents, that whatever your family setup, it’s all normal and one thing we have in common is the stress of sending kids back to school. In my household, the first day back is generally a blur of packing lunch, ironing Edie’s uniform, packing the correct schoolbooks, and jumping in the car before we have time to catch our breath.
At the end of the day, when it all feels it’s getting a bit much, it’s reassuring to know that if we remember to give our kids just one Haliborange Softie a day, they will have the vitamins and minerals required to support growth and development at every stage.
Interview Credit:
Bryony Gordon is working with Haliborange, the UK’s No.1 kids vitamin brand, on their #ItsAllNormal campaign reminding parents that at back-to-school time, it’s all normal. Haliborange reassures parents that their kids are getting the vitamins and minerals they need for growth and development at every stage. For more information, head to @HaliborangeUK Instagram page.