Newport Beach Family Development Center
Harmony at Home with Newport Beach Family Development Center
by Dr. Surina Mazzola
Welcome back to school: the routine, the rush! The return of the school year is wonderful for some, stress-inducing for others, but certainly a transition for all of us. These past few years, there has been a level of uncertainty and disruption with an increase in illnesses in the classroom, periods of virtual learning, and constant new safety and health protocols. Some kids and teens are flexible and adapt well to change. Others can be highly sensitive and perceive change as volatility. This can make the start of the school year especially overwhelming. Whenever the family system undergoes a transition, it’s important to be deliberate, communicate expectations and create routines that set everyone up for success! Prepare by identifying your family triggers in advance. Do fights over completing homework leave the entire family emotionally exhausted? Does the morning chaos leave everyone starting their day feeling anxious and behind? For some children, the start of the school year is anxiety-inducing and they may begin exhibiting avoidance or procrastination. If we, as parents become annoyed with this behavior, we miss the opportunity to address the underlying cause and equip our children with the appropriate coping skills. At Newport Beach Family Development Center, we believe that families deserve to enjoy family time in every season; that home should be a place of sanctuary to rejuvenate from the stresses of the daily life in our busy worlds. All too often, the stress and frustrations of everyday life infiltrate and contaminate our family experience and home environment. Our therapists help each family come up with a treatment plan to address the needs of the children, equip the system with coping skills and prepare them to joyfully manage the return to the school year…and every other transition that comes along! Happy fall from our family to yours!
26 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 280
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.779.0414
www.newportbeachfamily.com