I woke up at 3 a.m. on the morning of my daughter’s return to full-time in-person school and cracked open Unwinding Anxiety by Dr. Judson Brewer. It seemed like the perfect book to help set the right tone for the long day ahead.
I was anxious because it was my daughter’s first day at a new school in a new state. I was anxious because the school had sent a heads-up email the night before, warning that there could be pick-up delays due to a bus driver shortage. I was
also anxious because of the pressure I felt to have a great day at work myself.
Sound familiar? If you and your child are feeling a bit nervous amid these early school days, you’re not alone. We’re in it with you, and can offer a few practices that we return to again and again. These practices help us respond well to the worry we feel in the moment and (hopefully) reduce its duration, intensity, and likelihood of return.
I also want to help you become your child’s best advocate—and their teacher’s best educational partner. Help me help you boost your child’s reading skills, interest, and enjoyment by sharing what you need most now at this stage in your child’s development. Can you take 6 minutes to fill me in on where you are and where you want to go?
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, so in return I’d like to offer you a free one-on-one phone consultation to answer your particular questions and direct you to relevant resources. The survey's submit button will take you right to my booking page.
How do you calm your child’s nerves? I’d love to hear what works for your family!
Maya Payne Smart is an early literacy advocate who works to increase families’ access to books, authors, and evidence-based reading instruction. She muses about life, literacy, and literature at MayaSmart.com. Her book, Reading for Our Lives: Why Early Literacy Matters and How to Achieve It, is forthcoming from Avery/Penguin Random House.
Maya Smart, 758 N Broadway, Suite 240, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States
