Most of us are in the second week back from the holiday break, and if you’re like me, you’re looking forward to the Monday holiday next week. It’s not that the back to school after the holidays adjustment isn’t going well (is it?) but maybe just that it’s still an adjustment.
Even when routines return, many children still feel tired, reactive, or emotionally tender. That doesn’t mean the reset didn’t work — it means their nervous systems are still catching up.
The first week is re-entry.
The second week is where confidence begins to return.
This is when many parents notice small shifts, less resistance in the morning, fewer tears, slightly better focus, and maybe even more willingness to talk about school!
These changes happen because your child’s brain is learning: “I survived the transition.”
That message builds confidence and real confidence doesn’t come from pep talks — it comes from repeated experiences of getting through something that felt hard. If this week still feels wobbly, that doesn’t mean your child is behind. It means their nervous system is still recalibrating.
What helps most now isn’t pushing harder — it’s keeping the environment steady while their brain finishes reorganizing.
Three small shifts that make a difference:
Keep expectations simple.
Reflect effort, not outcome.
Use growth language ("I can learn new things, even if it takes extra time and practice.")
That message builds confidence and real confidence doesn’t come from pep talks — it comes from repeated experiences of getting through something that felt hard. If this week still feels wobbly, that doesn’t mean your child is behind. It means their nervous system is still recalibrating.
What helps most now isn’t pushing harder — it’s keeping the environment steady while their brain finishes reorganizing.
Three small shifts that make a difference:
Keep expectations simple.
Reflect effort, not outcome.
Use growth language ("I can learn new things, even if it takes extra time and practice.")
This is how confidence grows - in the quiet moments when a child learns: "I can handle transitions."
Join me in continuing to uplift our kids…while still caring for ourselves, looking at summer camps, and pulling out the suitcase for Spring Break travel (I’ve got my @londonfogbrand on standby!) and the list goes on. We’ve got this! 😊
Warmly,
Dr. Reon Baird-Feldman
Clinical Psychologist | Founder, 2nd City Psych
Speak Power. See Change.
Clinical Psychologist | Founder, 2nd City Psych
Speak Power. See Change.