Let's Talk Back-to-School

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Aug 19, 2025

As summer fades, the podcast dives into the emotional journey of back-to-school transitions for kids and parents alike. It discusses the messy feelings associated with returning to a structured routine and how parenting styles can shape this experience. Practical strategies for building connections and resilience in children are shared, alongside personal anecdotes about drop-off challenges and childhood memories. The significance of understanding children's needs and nurturing a growth mindset for tackling school obstacles is emphasized throughout.

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INSIGHT

Transition Stress Comes From Lost Predictability

Back-to-school feels hard because families lose summer's flexible freedom and predictability at once.
Parents often delay telling kids about changes, which increases children's anxiety and makes transitions worse.

INSIGHT

The Fast-Forward Error

Parents project their own unresolved school memories onto kids, causing a 'fast forward' to imagined worst-case futures.
That projection makes small child complaints feel like catastrophes and drives overreactions that amplify the problem.

ANECDOTE

Practicing Different Approaches With Each Child

Becky describes tailoring her approach to each child's temperament, giving more info to those who need preparation and agency to those who want independence.
She avoided alarming a worried child by simply showing the class list calmly and letting him respond.

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Sharpened pencils, new backpacks, picture-perfect outfits. Even if back-to-school season looks shiny on the outside, it often comes with a swirl of messy feelings for kids and parents! In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks why starting school is more than just a change in schedule - and how to stay sturdy during the turbulence of transitions. She reframes regressive behaviors and offers practical strategies for building routines, so you and your child can feel more connected, resilient, and confident handling whatever this year throws your way. Plus, don't miss the back-to-school speed round - where Dr. Becky shares her own childhood lunchbox must-haves and fifth-grade pencil pouch confessions.

Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk

Your Good Inside membership might be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement! To learn more about how to get your membership reimbursed, check out the link here: https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/

Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside

For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast.

You know that feeling when you're in the car, on your way to drop-off, and you're just trying to get your kid to eat one bite of their breakfast? Or when you’re on the way home from school, wishing there was a volume dial to turn down the meltdown happening in the backseat?

The back-to-school season is a lot, and moments like this are tough. That’s why I'm so excited to share that I teamed up with Chomps for a "Carpool Q&A," where I answered common questions from parents, like: What do I do when my kids fight constantly in the car? How can I help ease separation anxiety at drop off? And, what's the one song that's guaranteed to brighten the mood in my car? (I shared a personal favorite, and trust me, it's a good one).

Because let’s be honest - car chaos is real. And when you add a hungry kid to the mix? Forget it. Chomps has got you covered on the snacks: Their meat sticks are easy to stash in backpacks or glove compartments and are a good source of protein, so you’ve got one less thing to stress about mid-commute. And Good Inside has you covered on everything else.

To watch the full video, go to goodinside.com/chomps.

You know how people say they “need a vacation from their vacation”? I never got it. Then I experienced summer break as a parent.

Summer parenting can feel like a full-time job - so by the time back-to-school rolls around, I find myself wondering: “Okay, when’s the real break happening?” Because honestly, the most enjoyable trips we’ve taken as a family tend to happen during long weekends and fall breaks - no pressure for picture-perfect moments, no meltdowns from the heat, and no built-up tension after weeks of constant togetherness.

My go-to for these short and sweet trips? Booking an Airbnb: There’s space for everyone to spread out, a kitchen for easy meals, and separate bedrooms that let the grown-ups stay up after the kids go down.

But you know what’s even better? While you’re away, you can list your own home on Airbnb, too! Hosting on Airbnb is simple, flexible, and gives you a little extra income to put towards your own trip (or those mounting back-to-school costs). Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host.

I had this moment last year where I thought maybe my kids’ school calendar was going to get the best of me. Picture day, volunteer sign-ups, early dismissal on Tuesday... wait, which kid has which game?

If that sounds familiar, let me tell you about a life-saver: Skylight Calendar. It's designed to bring calm to your family's chaotic schedule. It pulls everyone's appointments, events, tasks, and lists into one simple touchscreen - right there in your home.

Skylight Calendar syncs seamlessly with all of your existing calendars - Google, Apple, Outlook, even directly from your email - giving you custom views for daily, weekly, or monthly planning. My favorite feature? “Tasks” helps kids build healthy routines, and you can even assign colors to each family member (“I always choose Good Inside yellow for myself”), eliminating confusion and those endless "I just forgot!” And with the Skylight app, you can instantly add or update anything on the go.

Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/BECKY.