As your kids head back to school this fall, you may be feeling overwhelmed with all of the things you need to plan and get done. This is generally a stressful time of year for parents, but this year there is even more to consider. At the top of your list may be planning how you will help your child transition back to school safely and protect not only their physical health but their emotional health, too.

Here are some tips to help you talk to your child about the transition back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Talk Openly

Sit down and have a talk with your child about what will be different at school this year. Have an open and honest conversation and give your child a chance to express their feelings and share their fears. Listen to them, validate their feelings, and help them come up with solutions to their challenges. This will give you insight into their emotional state and help you better prepare them.

Be Positive

Although you may have many worries yourself about this transition, don’t let your child see your anxiety. You don’t need to hide your feelings, but be positive and talk about all of the good things they’ll experience when they go back to school, like seeing friends and teachers and having fun, even while social distancing and wearing masks.

Stick to a Routine

Whether your child is attending school in-person or online, things are different this year. One thing remains the same—kids need routine. So set a routine each day and stick with it—waking up and going to bed at the same times, eating breakfast and dinner as a family, establishing a set time for doing homework after school. All of these things help your child feel secure, safe and less anxious. And it might even help you too!

Be Calm

Kids pick up on their parents’ anxiety. So, you can’t just talk about being calm—you have to model the behavior for your kids. If you stay calm, it will help assure your child that everything will be okay. Kids can adapt easily to new circumstances, like wearing masks and social distancing. As long as the adults around them remain positive and compliant, then they will follow suit.

Try these tips and give yourself a break. This is uncharted territory and there will be ups and downs, but a little planning can go a long way towards a smooth transition.