August 12, 2025

Transitions are hard, even when they’re expected.

💡 Takeaway

Whether you’re a student or a parent, shifting from summer’s loose days to the structure of school can feel jarring. Even when you know it’s coming, your body and brain might resist:

Waking up earlier feels brutal
Routines feel clunky or impossible
Meltdowns (big and small) are more frequent
Nostalgia for “summer freedom” mixes with stress about schedules
This isn’t failure. It’s transition. And transitions take energy.
ACT teaches us that discomfort during change doesn’t mean we’re doing it wrong—it means we’re doing it. It’s okay to need time, gentle repetition, and self-compassion as you and your family find your new rhythm.

Why Transitions Feel Hard

Predictability helps nervous systems feel safe. Shifting schedules removes that predictability, triggering stress responses (Holmes & Rahe, 1967).
Children and adults alike can feel grief when losing the spaciousness of summer, even if they’re excited for the new season (Bridges, 2004).
Sleep, appetite, and attention often fluctuate during schedule changes (Mindell et al., 2017).

APA-style citations:

Holmes, T. H., & Rahe, R. H. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11(2), 213–218.
Bridges, W. (2004). Transitions: Making sense of life’s changes. Da Capo Press.
Mindell, J. A., et al. (2017). Sleep patterns and sleep disturbances across childhood. Developmental Review, 33(3), 201–212.

🌀 Cultural Reframe

Social media often portrays “back-to-school” as a fresh, fun reset. But for many, it’s a messy, emotional, gradual recalibration.

✨ It’s okay if your kids (or you) aren’t excited.
✨ It’s okay if mornings are chaotic.
✨ It’s okay if you feel behind before you even start.

The goal isn’t a perfect routine by day one.
The goal is progressive adjustment, letting your body and family ease into change without shame.

Tips for Easing Transitions

✅ Start small: Pick 1–2 anchors (bedtime, wake time, meals) to adjust gradually.
✅ Name it: Let kids and yourself know it’s normal to feel “off” during change.
✅ Practice values, not perfection: Ask, “What matters most in our mornings?” (connection, calm, showing up— not checking every box).
✅ Hold space for grief: It’s okay to miss the slowness of summer. Naming it can reduce resistance.
✅ Celebrate small wins: “We got out the door. That’s enough.”

📚 Resources for the Curious

🎧 Podcast - Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting – Back-to-School Transition Episodes

📖 Book - Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2011). The Whole-Brain Child.

📄 Tool - Download Back-to-School Transition Reflection Sheet for parents and students to plan, track, and adjust gently.

✨ If You Only Remember One Thing...

Transitions take time. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Gentle structure, compassion, and flexibility will get you further than rigid routines.

Back to school isn’t just for kids