Ahh, fall—a time many of us look forward to for the changing leaves, cooler days, and return of everything pumpkin spice. The air fills with the honks of migrating geese, the crunch of fallen leaves, and the ear-splitting crescendo of back-to-school advertising. It seems to start earlier every year, doesn’t it?
Beyond the pressure to spend (the National Retail Federation predicts back-to-school spending to hit a record-breaking US$41 billion this year) are more interpersonal and logistical pressures: permission slips to sign, extracurricular activities to schedule and commute to, a mix of students, parents, and teachers in a new grade or new school to navigate. We all want to do well when it comes to back-to-school: students want to be liked and accepted by their teachers and peers, and parents want to feel they are giving their children the best opportunities they can. And yet, sometimes our high expectations can be our downfall. Doing everything perfectly is impossible, and trying for that goal is a sure way to spiral into exhaustion, frustration, and burnout.
By examining your family’s unique needs with curiosity and compassion, you can begin to separate your “should” from your “must”. You may hope for your child to be a quadrilingual Nobel Prize-winning Olympian, but if they’re happier playing sport recreationally and spending an hour with their siblings instead of on extra revisions, well, that matters, too.
It’s easier said than done. But with a little help from experts, you can alleviate some of the pressure of back-to-school and redirect that energy toward your family’s wellbeing. Please join CPA Assist at 12:00 MDT on September 26 for an informative webinar on back-to-school strategies with Dr. Christina Rinaldi, a child psychologist from the University of Alberta. The session will give advice on prioritizing self-care during times of stress, and will include tips on how to refocus if back-to-school caught you off-guard this year.
The session is free, but pre-registration is required. Please join us!
