"We had such a hard year last year. We can't have another one that's the same."
"There's a buzz in the house this week, and it's not a good one."
"It's like he's allergic to school."
If any of that sounds familiar, and school hasn't even started yet, this episode explains why.
I unpack the research behind why children's nervous systems start reacting to September before September arrives, drawing on Lisa Feldman Barrett's work on the predictive brain and Bruce Perry's framework of rhythm, regulation, and relationships.
I also explain why it's important to retire the phrase "school refusal" in favour of language that reflects what's actually happening: the child cannot attend, not that they are choosing not to.
This episode covers:
— Why the brain runs simulations of the future based on past experience, and what that means for a child heading into a difficult September
— The difference between a child who's a bit more volatile this week and a child in a genuinely fragile place
— 4 practical things parents can do this week: building rhythm, holding off on the school conversation, low pressure exposure to the school environment, and regulating your own nervous system first
— Why full attendance in week one isn't the right goal, and what a more realistic one looks like
This is the appetiser before the full EBSNA deep dive landing September 10. If your child struggled with attendance last year, or you're just bracing for the unknown, start here.
The Mindful Toolbox is for parents of 11 to 18 year olds navigating neurodiversity, executive function challenges, and the pressure of school. Hosted by Sarahlynn, specialist educator, CBT practitioner, and IEFCC Level 1 Executive Function Coach (Enhanced), Connections in Mind.
New listener? This one pairs directly with the EBSNA episode landing September 10, links in show notes once it's live.