Back to School: Rebuilding Routines and Managing Stress as a Family
Author: Anne Amadei - Executive Assistant
of Gio Arcuri or Giovanni Arcuri
Occupational Therapist • University Lecturer • Founder, Clinique Vivago
Date: September 14, 2026
Back-to-school season is an important transition period for the whole family. After several weeks of vacation, more spontaneous days, later bedtimes, and routines that may have been put aside, returning to school can require a real adjustment period.
For some children, going back to school is exciting: seeing friends again, discovering a new classroom, starting a new activity, or meeting a new teacher. For others, this period can bring more stress, worry, or anxiety.
Parents may also feel additional pressure. Schedules, lunches, homework, extracurricular activities, transportation, and family organization all quickly return. The entire family therefore has to find a new rhythm.
Moving From Vacation Mode Back to School Routine
During the holidays, days are often less structured. Bedtimes and wake-up times may vary, meals may happen at different times, and children generally have more free time.
With the return to school, daily life suddenly becomes much more structured: waking up at a specific time, getting ready, leaving for school, following classroom instructions, completing homework, attending activities, and respecting bedtime.
This change can require a lot of energy from a child.
During the first few weeks, some children may be more tired, irritable, or emotional. Others may have trouble falling asleep, waking up in the morning, or following their routine. Parents may also notice more resistance, frustration, or emotional outbursts at home.
These reactions may simply reflect the effort required to readjust to a more structured routine.
A New School or Classroom Can Increase Anxiety
Back-to-school season also comes with many unknowns.
A child may wonder:
Will I like my teacher?
Will my friends be in my class?
Will I do well?
Will I be able to make new friends?
Will I know where to go?
What if I find some subjects difficult?
For a child who is changing schools or going through a major transition, these concerns may feel even stronger.
Anxiety is not always expressed clearly. Some children may talk openly about their worries, while others may show signs such as stomach aches, headaches, irritability, sleep difficulties, crying, refusing to go to school, or needing more reassurance than usual.
Parents Also Go Through an Adjustment Period
Back-to-school season can also create a significant mental load for parents.
Preparing lunches, managing homework, organizing activities, coordinating transportation, responding to school communications, and keeping the household running can quickly become demanding.
On top of this, parents may also worry about their child’s adjustment, learning, friendships, or behaviour.
It is therefore important to recognize that parents also need time to regain their own rhythm.
A Few Strategies to Make the Transition Easier
There is no need to establish a perfect routine from the very first days. The goal is simply to gradually rebuild simple, predictable routines.
Keeping relatively consistent times for sleep, meals, and leaving for school can help children readjust.
Preparing clothes, school bags, or lunches the night before can also reduce morning stress.
After school, some children need a quiet moment to decompress before talking about their day or starting homework.
It can also be helpful to avoid overscheduling the first few weeks. A more gradual transition may allow children to better manage their energy and emotions.
How Pediatric Occupational Therapy Can Help Your Child
At Clinique Vivago, our pediatric occupational therapist can support children who are experiencing difficulties with the back-to-school transition or with their daily routines.
Occupational therapy may be helpful for children who struggle with organization, attention, independence, emotional regulation, sensory regulation, or adjusting to routines.
The goal is to identify the child’s specific challenges and develop practical strategies adapted to their everyday life.
Depending on the child’s needs, support may include:
creating a simpler morning or evening routine;
developing strategies to better manage transitions;
increasing independence in daily activities;
supporting organization and planning;
improving emotional regulation;
better understanding sensory needs;
finding strategies to make homework and concentration periods easier.
This type of support may be especially relevant for children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, attention difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, or difficulties adjusting to change.
Practical Strategies for Parents as Well
When a child is experiencing stress or anxiety, parents may sometimes feel unsure about how to respond.
Our professionals can also work with parents to provide strategies and practical tools adapted to their family’s needs.
The goal is not to create a perfect routine, but rather to find realistic approaches that work for both the child and the family.
Parents may receive support to better understand their child’s reactions, establish more predictable routines, manage moments of resistance or emotional outbursts, support independence, and encourage calmer communication around school and everyday responsibilities.
Having practical strategies can also help reduce the pressure parents feel and make periods of transition easier for the entire family.
When Should You Consider Seeking Support?
Some level of stress is normal at the beginning of the school year. However, it may be helpful to seek support when difficulties persist or begin to significantly affect everyday life.
For example, if your child:
regularly refuses to go to school;
experiences significant anxiety;
struggles greatly with routines;
has frequent emotional outbursts before or after school;
seems constantly exhausted or overwhelmed;
experiences significant sleep difficulties;
struggles with organization, attention, or independence.
Professional support can help better understand your child’s needs and identify strategies that are appropriate for their situation.
Our Team Can Support Your Family
At Clinique Vivago, several professionals can support your family during this transition period. You can learn more about Mélanie Haffar, our pediatric occupational therapist, who supports children and adolescents with challenges related to routines, independence, attention, and emotional and sensory regulation.
You can also discover our full team of mental health professionals. Depending on your family’s needs, our professionals can support children, adolescents, and parents by offering practical strategies to better manage stress, anxiety, emotions, and everyday challenges.
A Gradual Return to Routine, Not a Perfect One
Back-to-school season is a time of change. After several weeks of vacation, it is completely normal for both children and parents to need time to regain their routines.
Creating a simple routine, allowing time for adjustment, and seeking support when certain difficulties become overwhelming can make a meaningful difference.
At Clinique Vivago, our team is here to support children and families through this transition with greater confidence, understanding, and practical tools adapted to their needs.
Because a successful return to school does not mean a perfect one — it means helping your family gradually find its balance again.
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