Seasonal parenting series
A calmer start to the school year
Back-to-school transitions can bring excitement, worry, and a lot of moving parts. These free guides offer practical, psychologist-informed support for calmer routines, better sleep, and growing confidence.
Start where your family needs help
Back-to-school resources
Big School Transitions
The two biggest jumps, kindergarten and middle school, and how to steady your child through each.
Drop-Off Without the Tears
Why the goodbye is so hard for little ones, and how a short, confident ritual makes it smoother.
Screens During School
Why when and where beats a strict hour count, and how to protect sleep, focus, and family time.
The Overscheduled Kid
Why unstructured downtime supports creativity, self-direction, emotional regulation, and family connection.
The Homework Routine
How much homework really helps, why kids resist, and a calm system your child can run.
The Sunday Scaries
Why school worry spikes before school, and how to help an anxious child without feeding the anxiety.
The Back-to-School Calm Kit
Simple, practical tools for easing first-day worries, rebuilding routines, and helping your child feel ready.
The School Schedule Reset
A calm, realistic plan for shifting bedtime, protecting sleep, and making school mornings easier.
How Was School?
Why how was school always gets fine, and the small changes that get your child actually talking.
When You're the One Who Loses It
Why parents snap when the schedule changes, what it says about capacity, and how to repair afterward.
Keep building skills together
Explore more practical guides and age-by-age activities in A Child Psychologist's Toolbox.