Head colds, heat exhaustion and first-day jitters —UNT Health pediatrician shares back-to-school advice
Parents of school-age children are no stranger to the excuses made during the first
few weeks of back to school. My stomach hurts, my head hurts, I’m too tired, or the
ever so convincing, “I’m going to miss you too much if I go.” If the excuses last
long enough it brings up the question of is this real anxiety or just jitters?
Parents of children who play sports often have the addition of early morning, or late evening practices to their already hectic schedules. Even in the scorching heat of late summer, practice doesn’t stop. So, how do parents know if their child is overheated, at risk of injury, or overextending themselves?
Dr. Sarah Matches, pediatrician at UNT Health Clinical Practice Group, has advice for parents on these concerns, and more, as they send their kids back to school.
Is it back-to-school jitters or something more?
The germs that come with going back to school are one of the first things that come to mind for many parents. The snotty noses, coughs and stomach bugs typically come back with a vengeance the minute the doors of schools open. However, those germs aren’t the only thing that comes this time of year, the back-to-school jitters often come back in full force as well. With the jitters comes the question many parents ask themselves, “Is this just nerves, or is it something more?”
“I think most kids are going to have the first-day jitters, even the ones who have been going to school for years,” Matches said. “They’re all excited and they’re thinking about who they’re going to see, who is in their classes, meeting their new teachers, all of the stuff that comes with going back to school.”
First-day jitters often improve as the first week goes on. Students start to get more comfortable with being back in a routine, they’re used to seeing their friends and they’ve put a face to their teacher.
So how do you know if it’s more than jitters?
Matches said a lot of times it comes down to the duration of these feelings.
“I would say if they exhibit concerning behavior for a month or longer, then I would reach out to their pediatrician,” Matches said. “Things like them continuously making up excuses to miss school, constantly refusing to get out of bed, feeling anxious but they can't tell you why, or if they start withdrawing from things they once loved to do, that is when I would recommend seeking help.”
When it comes to younger children, Matches said it’s important to give them grace - especially in the behavior department.
“I really encourage the parents of my patients to give their kids a little grace with back to school,” Matches said. “Behavior often gets bad because after school starts, they’re worked up, excited, overwhelmed, whatever it may be, so they lose it when they get home.”
This happens because they return to their safe space after doing what they’re supposed to at school and just fall apart. Whether it’s a meltdown or fighting with siblings, it is to be expected because school is hard and it will pass, Matches explains.
The never-ending head cold
Just because small children and germs go together like peas and carrots doesn’t mean you are doomed, Matches said.
“You can’t completely prevent your child from getting sick 100% of the time, but you can teach them the life skills they need to not get sick quite as often,” Matches said. “Teaching them things like washing their hands, not putting their fingers in their mouths and covering their mouths with their elbow instead of their hand when they cough goes a long way in preventing the spread of germs.
Other things like good sleep and a nutritious diet also help children fight off any bugs they encounter. Rest assured Matches explains, as they get older the spread of germs slows down as they learn proper hygiene, stop sharing toys and build stronger immune systems.
What sleep schedule?
One of the best things about summer is not setting an alarm and letting your kids stay up late and sleep in. But if that isn’t corrected prior to school starting it could cause problems for kids of all ages the first few weeks back.
“I always hope that parents will start readjusting sleep about two weeks before school starts,” Matches said. “I recommend waking them up an hour 30-60 minutes earlier every few days and avoiding daytime naps. By the time you get to the first day of school they’ll be used to getting up and going to bed when they need to so they succeed in the classroom.”
Sometimes this adjustment doesn't happen, but Matches said that is perfectly normal. Teachers are prepared for their students to be more tired the first week or so while they get used to coming back.
The game of hydration
If your child is of the age to play school sports or march in the band, paying attention to them closely during this heat is critical. Heat exhaustion, especially in Texas, is incredibly common this time of year and making sure your kids are safe is as simple as it is important. Athletic programs typically have someone in charge of monitoring students to make sure they are doing OK, and older kids usually stop and hydrate if needed. However, keeping an eye on your little ones is vital.
“A lot of times the little ones want to keep playing and don’t pay attention to the signs they’re too hot,” Matches said. “If their face is bright red and they’re not sweating you need to stop them and make sure they hydrate.
“Not sweating is a sign they’ve overheated, and their body is not cooling them like it should. If this happens, bring them inside and give them a Gatorade or something with electrolytes.”
It gets easier
While some bumps in the road are a normal part of getting back into a routine, paying attention to changes in your child’s behavior, health and energy levels can help you know when something needs a little more attention. As the school year gets underway, Matches encourages parents to give their children grace, stay attentive and remember that sometimes the simplest things — rest, hydration, nutrition and a little reassurance — can go a long way toward helping kids have a healthy start to the year.
And when in doubt, always remember Dr. Matches top tips for making back to school successful.
Dr. Matches Big 3
- Adjust sleep early to help everyone prepare.
- Provide well-rounded, nutritious meals for your children.
- Talk through the first day. Let them know what to expect.