Is There A Remedy For Back-to-school Blues? by Genie Rowson

Many children experience some fears and anxiety as each new school year begins. A few restless nights or fluttery tummies in the days before school are often signals not only of nervousness, but also of excitement at seeing old friends and meeting new ones. It is perfectly natural for your child to be nervous, excited, anxious and eager all at the same time leading up to, and during the first days of school. However, for some children the beginning of a new school year or starting at a new school brings on a sense of terrific anxiety and stress. Sometimes children need to learn new ways to adjust to their new schedules and environments. Previous incidents can also contribute to the perception of future problems.

Some behaviours to watch out for are:

• Physical illness (vomiting, diarrhoea, or other symptoms)

• Excessive crying / tantrums

• Avoidance behaviours (hiding, not wanting to get out of the car)

• Aggressiveness (hitting, kicking, biting)

• Lack of appetite

• Withdrawal from family / activities

Talk to your children about how they are feeling, and encourage them to voice their fears and worries. Offer reassurance and remind your child that he or she is not the only one who is a little uneasy about the first day of school. You can also point out all the positive aspects of starting school and how much fun it will be. If you can, take your child to school and fetch him or her yourself for the first few days.

In homeopathy, there are many remedies to ease the emotional and physical symptoms of panic and anxiety, gently and without any side effects. Choose the remedy (or remedies) below that best describes your child’s (and your) symptoms. You will be amazed how effective these remedies can be for an anxious child or a worried parent!

Aconitum – your typical ‘panic attack’ remedy and homeopathy’s Rescue Remedy. To be used for a sudden and intense feeling of fright, panic, anxiety, worry and foreboding. Accompanied by oppressed breathing, racing heart, palpitations with stitching pains in the chest, flashes of heat, sweating. Panic tends to be worse at night.

Kali Phos – an essential brain, nerve, heart and lung nutrient which improves symptoms of anxiety, panic, hysteria, nervous dread, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nervous tension, night terrors, insomnia, diarrhoea, lethargy, irritability, depression and hyper-sensitivity.

Lycopodium – for lack of self-confidence and courage. Apprehensive about forthcoming events. For a feeling of terror and panic before school.

Pulsatilla – for fear or anxiety about separation which leads to clinginess, tearfulness and emotional changeability. Fear of a loved one being harmed. A great remedy for emotions of panic that are connected to separation anxiety, including in babies and children. This is a great remedy for the toddler who hangs onto mom or dad’s leg for dear life at the school gate!

Copyright 2010 Genie Rowson, Fellow of the British Institute of Homeopathy, mum of five, and author of There's a remedy for that!Homeopathy is an affordable, gentle, non-toxic and highly effective system of medicine. It is used all over the world and is growing in popularity in South Africa. Our potentised remedies are available online from www.theresaremedyforthat.com.