August can be a strange month for parents.

The initial excitement of the summer holidays starts to wind down, and a familiar shift happens in the house. What started as long, lazy weeks of freedom can slowly turn into a period of quiet waiting.

If your child is making the big leap to secondary school this September, you might be noticing they are a bit more irritable than usual, or perhaps they're retreating into their room a little more.

Moving from the small, familiar world of primary school into a huge secondary school is massive. It’s entirely normal for them to feel a mix of excitement and total dread.

When kids are anxious, sitting them down at the kitchen table for a direct chat can feel too intense for them. Try taking a walk instead. Walking side-by-side through a quiet green space around York takes the pressure off.

Without the intensity of direct eye contact, young people usually find it much easier to drop their guard and tell you what's actually worrying them—whether it's getting lost, losing their old friends, or the heavier workload.

Anxiety loves to live in the future, thriving on an endless loop of "what ifs." When your child starts spiralling into worries about September, try to gently ground them back into the present moment.

Encouraging them to focus on what’s happening right now can quieten a racing mind. Even simple things like notice the heat of the summer sun, listening to the wind in the trees, or kicking off their shoes to feel the grass can help.

These little sensory moments remind their nervous system that they are safe right here in August, and they don't have to solve September's problems today.

Sometimes, though, the feelings are just too big or confusing to put into words. If your child is struggling to talk about how they feel, creative outlets can give them a safe release without the pressure of a conversation. You could encourage them to doodle, start a private journal, or put together a playlist that matches their mood.

Another simple thing to try on a walk is having them pick up a few stones or twigs to represent the worries they are carrying, and then literally leave them behind by the riverbank or under a tree.

Facebook - Visit York: Green spaces

Externalising the worry helps them see that the anxiety is just something they are experiencing, rather than who they are.

As parents, our natural instinct is to try and fix things straight away. We want to jump in with reassurances like, "You'll be fine, you'll make loads of friends!"

While we mean well, sometimes what a young person needs most is just to know that they've been heard. Simply validating their feelings by saying, "It makes total sense that you feel nervous, it's a massive change," can be incredibly powerful.

Be gentle with them, and with yourself, as this chapter closes.

If the transition is starting to feel overwhelming and you think your child could benefit from a dedicated, safe space to unpack everything, I am here to help.

I offer tailored counselling for young people aged 11–17 in York, blending traditional talking therapy with creative and nature-based approaches.

Please feel free to reach out through my Jorvik Talking Therapies Contact Page to book a free initial consultation, and we can support them through this next step together