2. Set goals. Before school starts, sit down with your kids and set goals for the upcoming year. Ask them what they hope to achieve (grades, athletics, clubs, etc.) and help guide them toward a plan to make it happen.

3. Be thoughtful. Small gestures from you can help boost confidence on the first day back, whether it’s a special treat and a heartfelt note, or a quick, encouraging text message right before classes start.

4. Be mindful. In addition to being mindful of what you say, be sensitive to your tone. Expressing impatience or frustration will produce a different result than if you say the same thing with a positive tone.

5.Be there. Sometimes the best thing we can offer as a parent is to simply be there for our kids. Be available when they want to talk about their experiences. If they don’t want to talk, which is especially common for teens, regularly assure them that you’re always there if they need you.

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