Remember that queasy feeling you felt in your stomach the night before the first day of school? There was no denying it: the stress-free days of summer were over. Worse, even though you looked forward to high-fiving your friends, the prospect of having a new teacher and more homework was downright scary. So before September comes and your kids feel the pressure, read up on how you can help by invoking our top 10 back-to-school stress busters.

1. Identify Her Behaviour
If she’s complaining each morning that her belly aches, constantly hanging on your sleeve, or pounding her little brother every time you turn away, keep in mind the change that’s ahead. She may not realize that she’s acting out in response to her fears, unless you help her vocalize what’s really bothering her.

2. Open the Lines of Communication
You won’t know if they’re feeling the jitters or not, unless you ask. Questions like “Who are you most looking forward to seeing?” and “Is there anything that you’re worried about?” will help your kids open up about their anxiety. But if they’re not ready to talk, don’t push. Instead, assure them that when they are, you’ll unplug the vacuum, sit down, and give them your full attention.

3. Set Him Up with a Buddy
He may be worried that he’ll be separated from his old best friend or that he’ll be the loner in the class. To make sure he doesn’t feel too isolated, pick up the phone in August and start making calls. Connect him with his old friends, or initiate contact with someone new friends.

4. Adjust Bedtime Early
For a couple of months, it didn’t matter what the clock said. Besides, it was light out late, and you knew she’d dream the morning away. But if you make the mistake of waiting to spring a new bedtime on her the night before school, chances are, she’ll be up counting her fears for hours on end. You’re better off making the change gradually, remembering to wake her earlier too, so she gets used to the feeling of springing out of bed.

5. Get to Know the Teachers
As soon as you get word whose classroom your child is assigned to, make contact. If it’s a new school, you may be welcome to a classroom visit a few days before the chaos of the first day of class strikes. In any case, the phone call gives you a chance to check in with the teacher, give her a heads-up about your child’s anxiety and ask her to pay special attention to help him settle in.

6. Organize School Supplies
Just feeling that she has everything in place will help reduce her stress level. Right after the massive school supply shop, dump everything on the family room floor, and make a game of it. She’s sure to get excited about her new belongings by writing her name on books and zipping all her pens and markers into her new case.

7. Call the Tutor
If your child is especially anxious because last year, he fell hopelessly behind in Math, act early this year. Line up the help he needs in advance. Most important, encourage your child to tell you if he’s struggling, and explain that there’s no shame in asking for extra help.

8. Focus on the Present
Anxiety is often linked to unpleasant memories of what happened in the past, or fear of what’s to come. What if that bully teases him again? Or he ends up at a desk in the back? Help your child see that it’s his negative thinking that’s creating his stress. Once he realizes that none of these events have yet happened, and that if they do, you’ll find a solution, he’ll start to relax.

9. Plan an Entertainment Schedule
Most kids worry that with so many hours spent at school,on homework and in extra-curricular programmes, they’ll lose their free time for fun. Reassure your child that she’ll still have time for reading comics, playing computer and watching TV, as long as together, you create a schedule where entertainment has a clear beginning and end.

10. Laugh
Laughing is a powerful stress-busting tool, especially for kids. Leave the night before school free for some good old family fun, like cooking dinner together, playing tag, or renting their favourite comedy.