Back to School
As summer winds down and back-to-school season is around the corner, there can be many questions on a child’s mind:
- “Who will my teacher be?”
- “What should I wear on my first day?”
- “What will I learn this year?”
Unfortunately, for children experiencing or displaced by domestic violence, there may be other questions as well:
- “Where will we stay tonight?”
- “How can I keep my family safe?”
- “Will I see my friends at school again?”
Children experiencing domestic violence face numerous challenges that may impact their lives, including emotional/psychological trauma, academic struggles, behavioral issues, social isolation, frequent absences and physical health issues. These concerns can become more pronounced during the new school year, especially when families are forced to re-locate for their safety. They may struggle with new routines, starting at a new school or relating with their classmates while dealing with the ongoing trauma at home.
At Friendship Home, children’s advocates work to understand and address these challenges to provide the necessary support to help children experiencing domestic violence succeed despite the difficulties they may face. This may look like creating a safe space, educational support, resource connection, support groups, parental support and education, and more to ensure a happy, healthy school year.
About the Author
In October 2023, Nadine started at Friendship Home and is currently serving as a full-time children’s advocate.