There is a particular feeling that arrives every August. It starts subtly. A back-to-school advertisement. School supplies replacing beach chairs. An e-mail with the subject line “Welcome Back”. Suddenly, despite the long summer evenings, your mind is already in September. Many people know the “Sunday Scaries” — that knot of anxiety before the work week begins. For parents, August can feel like a month-long version of the same thing.

Will my child be happy this year?

Will they make friends?

Will their teacher understand them?

Will this be easier than last year?

For many families, these worries are fleeting. For parents of children with learning differences, however, they can feel all-consuming.

While many families are thinking about lunchboxes and uniforms, those raising children with dyslexia, ADHD or other learning differences are often carrying a much heavier emotional load. Back-to-school season isn't just about preparation; it's about anticipation.

You remember the difficult battles, the tears after school, the meetings, assessments, e-mails and phone calls. You remember watching your child work twice as hard for results that sometimes didn't reflect their effort.

As September approaches, it is natural to wonder whether the same challenges are waiting around the corner. The good news is that there are ways to reduce the stress, both for children and for the adults who love them.

One of the most effective strategies is surprisingly simple: start routines early.

Many children, particularly those with learning differences, benefit from predictability and the abrupt shift from the freedom of the summer to the demands of a structured day are tough. Returning to consistent wake-up times, meal schedules and bedtime routines at least two weeks before school starts can help to ease the transition tremendously. It removes one layer of adjustment and allows children to enter the new school year feeling more regulated and rested.

For students with language-based learning differences, preparation can also mean making the unknown feel a little more familiar. Reviewing schedules, discussing new teachers, and talking through what the first few days might look like can help to make the unfamiliar feel more manageable.

Have your child help to pack their backpack, choose school supplies, organise a workspace, or practise a morning routine. Visual schedules, checklists and calendars all placed at your child’s eye level can help to make expectations concrete and reduce the mental load of remembering multiple steps.

One of the best things parents can do before the school year begins is start building a positive relationship with their child's teacher. Sharing what helps your child learn, where they may need extra support and the strategies that help them to succeed creates a partnership from Day 1. When families and schools work together, children are far more likely to feel understood, supported and ready to learn.

Just as important is preparing your child emotionally. The start of a new school year often brings a mix of excitement, worry, anticipation and fear. For some, these emotions can feel particularly intense. Parents can help by talking openly about feelings, normalising nervousness, and helping children to identify what they are experiencing.

Rather than rushing to solve every concern, sometimes the most powerful response is simply: “That makes sense. A lot of children feel that way before school starts.”

Creating calming routines will also make a significant difference. When emotions run high, focusing first on regulation rather than reasoning is often more effective. A child who is overwhelmed may need movement, reassurance or time to decompress before they are ready to problem-solve.

As parents, it is easy to become focused on grades, reading levels and test scores but remind yourself (and your child) that school success is about much more than academics. Some of the most important indicators of a successful year are harder to measure. Is your child willing to try difficult things? Do they have meaningful relationships? Do they feel safe, supported and understood? These factors matter deeply, especially for students who have experienced setbacks or struggles in the past.

The August Sunday Scaries remind us how deeply we care about our children. But they don't predict what lies ahead. Every September brings a fresh opportunity — new relationships, new routines, new successes and new chances to grow. Children grow. They gain confidence. They surprise us.

So prepare as best you can, take the first day one step at a time, and remember that a new school year doesn't have to be a repeat of the last. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what a child — and their family — needs.

• Lindsey Sirju is the cofounder and head of school at the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning