Not all struggles look the way you’d expect. Kids are incredibly resilient, but they also feel more than they often say. And during the school year, their emotional world can get a lot heavier.

There’s academic pressure, tricky social situations, bullying, schedule overload, and the struggle to stay organized in a busy environment. Many parents assume their child will speak up if something’s wrong. But often, school-related stress shows up in quiet, hard-to-read ways.

You know your child better than anyone. And still, it’s easy to miss the signs that they’re struggling.

For many families, the end of summer brings a mix of emotions. Maybe your child is counting down the days until they see their friends again, or maybe they’re dragging their feet and dreading the first bell. Either way, it’s common for kids to feel a little off as summer winds down and school starts back up.

This seasonal shift can be a lot. Going from long, carefree days to early mornings, busy schedules, and new classroom routines is a big adjustment. Some kids handle it easily. Others feel anxious, irritable, or even sad and don’t know how to talk about it.