School Counselor Mama

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School Counselor Mama School counseling + parenting resources made by a counselor for real life. Follow for tips, ideas, and time-saving materials that actually work!

Grab-and-go SEL lessons, small groups, & practical tools to support kids at school and at home.

09/27/2026

As the new school year approaches, many kids experience back-to-school anxiety.

Before I get into it, be sure to follow for value pact posts about kids and their mental health needs.

It’s a natural response to change, but as parents, it’s important to recognize the signs and offer support.

Here are some common signs of anxiety to watch for:

1. Changes in Sleep Patterns 😴
• Trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, or nightmares could indicate anxiety about the upcoming school year.

2. Physical Complaints 🤕
• Headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained physical symptoms often accompany feelings of anxiety in children.

3. Irritability or Mood Swings 😠😢
• If your child seems unusually moody, frustrated, or withdrawn, it might be a sign they’re feeling overwhelmed.

4. Avoidance Behaviors 🚫
• Reluctance to talk about school, avoiding school-related activities, or even pretending to be sick can all be signs of anxiety.

5. Clinginess 🤗
• A child who suddenly becomes more clingy or doesn’t want to be separated from you might be feeling anxious about returning to school.

How to Help:

• Open Up the Conversation 🗣️: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and listen without judgment.

• Establish Routines ⏰: A consistent daily routine can provide a sense of security and help reduce anxiety.

• Practice Relaxation Techniques 🧘‍♀️: Deep breathing, mindfulness, or other calming activities can help manage anxious feelings.

• Reassure and Support 💛: Remind your child that it’s normal to feel nervous and that you’re there to help them through it.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. If your child’s anxiety seems overwhelming, consider reaching out to a school counselor or mental health professional for extra support.

You’ve got this, and so does your child! 💪✨ It takes a village 🫶

09/27/2026

If your child comes home and says they played alone at recess, try not to panic.
Recess is not just a “social time” for kids.
It’s also a reset for their nervous system.

Some kids run straight into the crowd.
Others need a minute to decompress after holding it together all morning.
Independent play can actually be a sign that their body knows how to regulate itself.

Kids use recess in different ways depending on the day.
Sometimes they want friends.
Sometimes they want space.
Sometimes they just want to wander, imagine, or enjoy a little quiet without the noise and expectations of the classroom.

Playing alone does not mean they are falling behind socially.
It often means they are listening to what their brain and body need in that moment.

Recess is a break, not a test.

Follow Amy Miller, MS | Professional School Counselor | Mom for daily child development and mental health tips.

09/27/2026

✨ “Parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about being present and attuned to our child’s needs.” - Dan Siegel

In a world that constantly pushes us towards perfection, it’s easy to forget that what our kids really need is our presence.

Here’s how you can make being present a little easier:

1. Unplug to Connect: Set aside tech-free time each day where your focus is entirely on your child.

2. Practice Active Listening: Put aside distractions, make eye contact, and truly listen to what your child is saying.

3. Embrace Imperfections: Understand that it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is that you’re there, trying, and learning alongside your child.

Remember, it’s not about being the perfect parent—it’s about being the one who shows up.

It takes a village 🫶

Follow for daily mental health and child development tips and strategies!

09/27/2026

“By teaching children mindfulness, we provide them with the tools that help them regulate their emotions and improve their mental health.” - Dan Siegel

🧘🏻‍♀️Mindfulness isn’t just for adults—it’s a powerful tool for our kids too! When we teach children to be mindful, we’re giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime.

😮‍💨They learn to pause, breathe, and connect with their emotions in a healthy way.

This simple practice can transform their ability to handle stress, anxiety, and the ups and downs of growing up.

At School Counselor Mama, we believe in the power of mindfulness to nurture strong, resilient, and emotionally aware kids. Let’s empower our children with the skills they need to thrive—inside and out. 🩵

Follow for daily mental health and child development tips and strategies!

It takes a village 🫶

09/27/2026

Does your child struggle at school drop off?
Answer in the poll below 👇

Stop feeling embarrassed and start feeling confident with a plan in place before it all starts!

📌 SAVE this for when your kid returns to school.

Drop off can be stressful for all involved when your child is struggling to separate.

1. Validate their feelings: Remember the sensations and thoughts in their little bodies is very real to them. You know they’re safe but don’t dismiss how they’re feeling.

2. Decide before hand, how will you say goodbye? Think of a ritual the two of you can do. For example: when we pull up to the school, and see Mr. so-and-so, I will give you a kiss in your hand, I’ll close up your hand. You will open your hand and blow it back to me. I will catch it. You’ll give me a squeeze, open the door and go give Mr. so-and-so a fist bump.

3. Practice coping skills before hand: Star breathing with their hand on the way to school, tight squeezes on the shoulders, using a weighted blanket for the ride, visualizing a good day etc… decide before hand what they will do that they know works.

4. Enlist the help of a trusted adult! It’s ok to call the front office and ask for the teacher or counselor or their favorite art teacher!! Email that person the night before if that makes you feel better about it. Know that your child’s school wants them to come in smoothly just like you do.

5. Be OK and prepared to take the time to say goodbye and don’t rush the process unnecessarily. Leave for school early, patiently discuss feelings, practice the skills but overall be patient.

6. Don’t be afraid to leave while your child is crying. Let them know you will go. It’s like ripping a band-aide off. It sucks for you as a parent but I promise, 9/10 that kid calms down within minutes of the adult leaving.

You’re not a bad parent if your kid is still crying and you leave them with the trusted adult from the school.

DM me with specific questions and concerns.

Follow for more behavior strategies like this one.

It takes a village 🫶

09/27/2026

“A child’s brain is like a garden that needs nurturing, care, and protection from negative influences to grow and flourish.” -Dan Siegel

Follow for daily parenting quotes and mental health tips for kids.

It takes a village 🫶

09/26/2026

Parents ask me all the time how to increase their child’s self esteem and confidence.

Save 📌 this one to refer back to and share 🤳with your parenting bestie.

Each kid is different. But I always start with the relationship and quality time spent.

When your kid feels important to you, they’ll feel important in the world.

That sense of worthiness matters. All day long they’re going to be receiving messages telling them they aren’t good enough, they don’t belong, they’re doing whatever wrong.

When they are in your home and with you, they need to know they can be themselves and be loved unconditionally.

Make them the center of your world when you’re together and allow them to feel seen by you.

Enjoy getting to know them and make sure they know you’re trying to.

Increasing that sense of confidence begins when you believe in them when they don’t believe in themselves and you allow them to fail. The more they struggle and get through the struggles, the more they’re realize just how capable they are.

Did this resonate with you? Follow for more posts on how to boost self esteem and maintain your kids mental health!

09/26/2026

Your child can know ALL the coping skills…and still completely forget every single one when they’re upset.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the coping skills “don’t work.”

It means there’s a big difference between practicing a strategy when your body is calm and being able to access that same strategy when you’re overwhelmed.

This is why I don’t love asking an already dysregulated kid:

“What coping skill could you use?”
“Remember your breathing?”
“What are you supposed to do when you’re angry?”

In that moment, they may need our help regulating before they can access the skills we’ve taught them.

The real work happens outside of those big moments.

Practice taking a break when the frustration is still small. Take deep breaths together when nobody actually needs them. Help your child notice the first signs in their body that tell them, I’m starting to get overwhelmed.

We’re not just teaching kids a list of coping skills.

We’re helping their brains learn when to notice they need one, how to choose one, and how to actually use it.

And that takes practice. A LOT of practice.

❤️ If you want more than a list of coping skills, I created Calm Minds, Happy Homes to help you actually teach these skills at home—with practical strategies, scripts, coping tools, and printables you can use with your child.

Comment CALM and I’ll send you the link to grab your copy.

09/26/2026

“It is essential to create a safe space where children can express their feelings without fear of judgement.”

-Brene Brown, Braving The Wilderness

Follow for daily quotes and mental health strategies for kids!!

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09/26/2026

“We speak with more than our mouths. We listen with more than our ears.”

-Fred Rogers

Follow for daily quotes & mental health tips for kids.

Mr. Rogers is always spoke on. What do you think this quote means?

I teach my students all about body language, facial expressions and tone of voice when learning to understand the emotions of others and their own emotions.

“We speak with more than our mouths.” Imagine your upset child. Their furrowed brows, they’re curled up in a ball or crossing their arms. So much more is being said with their body than just what they say.

Taking the time to step back and consider the whole picture will give you a better chance to decide on how to respond.

Follow for daily quotes and tips on mental strategies to help the kids you love!

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It takes a village 🫶

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