Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries

by Diane Peters Mayer

Every year, more than 68 million students of every age find themselves worrying excessively about their first day of school, even before it begins. Their hearts race, their stomachs turn, and their palms sweat just thinking about getting on the school bus for the first time, that first pop quiz, or that notoriously strict teacher. For parents of these children, nothing can be more upsetting than dropping their kids off on the first day of school, wondering how they will cope. Now, they can stop worrying and start helping. As a seasoned psychotherapist, Diane Peters Mayer has successfully treated hundreds of elementary school students suffering from this common disorder. In Overcoming School Anxiety, she shows parents how to deal with a wide variety of problems, from test and homework anxiety, to bullying, and fear of speaking up in class. Mayer also offers easy-to-learn techniques for children including breathing and relaxation exercises, focusing techniques, and tips on proper diet and exercise that help relieve stress. Filled with real-life examples as well as proven advice for working with teachers, principals, and counselors, this is the only comprehensive guide that will enable every parent to help a child cope, build confidence, and succeed in school.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

233 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Gillian Townsend]

As a licensed clinical social worker, I have worked with parents who are on the difficult path of school avoidance for many years. I wish this book had been available to them and myself, years ago. The author masterfully combines compassionate understanding with practical, research-backed strategies. What sets this book apart is its recognition that school avoidance isn't about defiance or laziness—it's often a child's way of communicating deeper struggles with anxiety, depression, or learning challenges. This book answers the big questions: What is happening? How can I help my child? Is this our forever? The author brings experts forward to demonstrate how parents can build strategic alliances with their child, school, and therapeutic providers.

The lived experience of many parents in this book helps the reader envision their own success and offers hope without false promises, acknowledging the complexity of these situations while providing a concrete design of interventions. Every parent facing the heartbreak of watching their child struggle with school attendance needs this book. It's not just a guide—it's a reminder that parents are not alone, and that with the right tools and understanding, positive change is possible. I will be recommending this book to parents, school personnel, and clinicians!
Gillian Townsend, LCSW, PPSC-SSW
Humboldt County Office of Education

[Melissa’s Bookshelf]

This book offered some great ideas and helpful information on anxiety directly related to school situations. It also shared several techniques to deal with these specific problems at home. Belly breathing, learning to "live in the moment," and going with the flow were all techniques that were helpful in trying to learn how to handle overwhelming feelings of fear associated with different situations in school. It also had helpful information on nutrition, exercise, different types of professional therapy used to treat anxiety, medications, and CAM therapies.

[Debbi (My Reading Spot)]

I found this helpful. It had good ideas and good points.