All the Feelings: The End of the School Year

All the Feelings: End of the School Year

It’s the end of the school year, and it’s a tough one.
For so many children (and their grown-ups), this final stretch feels long, hot, and heavy.

Everyone’s tired.
Adults are tired.
Kids are tired.
Teachers are tired.

But beneath the heat and exhaustion, there’s something deeper going on, no matter your child’s age. They’re feeling all the feelings, and those feelings could be a mix of:

Sadness – Saying goodbye to a teacher they love, to a familiar classroom, or to friends.
Anxiety – Worrying about what next year will be like: new teachers, new rooms, new routines.
Frustration – Small things feel bigger when emotions are high. They may have a shorter fuse.
Disappointment – If the year didn’t end the way they hoped or friendships felt tricky.
Excitement – Summer is coming! No uniforms! More play and freedom!
Nervousness – About changes they can’t control or don’t fully understand yet.
Nostalgia – Even young children can feel a deep sense of “I’ll miss this.”
Irritability – When everything feels overwhelming, even fun plans can feel “too much.”
Shutdown – Some children go quiet or withdraw as a way to cope with BIG feelings.
Clinginess – Seeking reassurance from their safe adults when everything else feels uncertain.
Confusion – Holding two or more feelings at once, and not knowing why they feel “off.”

Even if your child seems fine, you might start seeing slight shifts in their behaviour at home.
The end of the school year is often when BIG feelings start creeping in.

It’s not random.
It’s not “bad behaviour.”
Their nervous system is bracing for change.

They may not have the words, but they’re carrying a lot, and it’s spilling out in the safest place they know, with you.

This is common across all ages:

For little ones…
They may be leaving their very first teacher or classroom, and that’s a big goodbye.

For primary-aged children…
New classrooms, new teachers, shifting friendships, and less structure ahead. That’s a lot to hold.

For secondary students…
Whether they’re preparing for GCSEs, sixth form, or finishing school altogether, there’s a lot going on under the surface.

For ALL children, the emotional load is real, even if they don’t show it.

You might notice:

• More emotional outbursts

• Increased fussiness or indecisiveness

• Tiredness (sometimes paired with difficulty sleeping)

• Withdrawal or snapping easily

• More restlessness than usual

• Increased worries and fears

• More demand for attention or whining

• Big energy swings

• Regressive behaviours like toileting issues, thumb sucking, or baby talk

• Seeming “fine” at school but falling apart at home. This is called after-school restraint collapse

So, what can you do?

Start by helping them feel safe to feel all the feelings.

Here are a few powerful phrases that help children process emotions they don’t yet have words for:

“It’s okay to feel more emotional right now. This time of year brings up a lot of BIG and small feelings for everyone.”
“I can see you have some BIG feelings. You don’t have to hide them. Let’s be detectives and work through them together.”
“You’re not the only one feeling this way. Lots of children feel wobbly as school is ending.”
“You don’t have to keep it all in. I’m here to listen, even if you’re not sure what you’re feeling. We can figure it out together.”
“You can talk to me about anything, even the hard stuff.”
“Change is hard, even when you know it’s a good change.”
“Even when things change, some things stay the same, like ...”
“We don’t have to have it all figured out right now. One step at a time.”
“You’ve done a whole year of growing. I’m so proud of you.”
“It’s okay if part of you is looking forward to next year, and another part feels nervous. That’s really normal.”

And on a practical level, you can support your child by:

Keeping routines predictable
Familiar rhythms bring comfort. Stick to regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and after-school rituals where possible. These create a sense of safety when everything else feels like it’s shifting.

Creating calm spaces at home
After the sensory and social overwhelm of school, children need quiet places to decompress, play freely, or just be.

Making time to connect
Build in little moments of connection like a walk, a cuddle, or a bedtime chat. These refill their emotional cup.

Lowering expectations
Now’s the time to ease up on homework battles, screen time guilt, or household perfection. Emotional regulation is hard work. Their brains are already overloaded. It's important to expect less when we’re coping with more.

Offering more patience and gentleness
You might be met with attitude, tears, or complete withdrawal. Instead of reacting, try responding with compassion. They’re not trying to be difficult, they’re trying to feel safe.

Letting them express emotions in different ways
Some children need to talk, others may draw, move, play, or sit in silence. Let them process in their own way and at their own pace.

Meeting physical needs first
Sometimes a meltdown isn’t emotional at its core. iI might be hunger, thirst, tiredness, or overstimulation. Start with the basics and work from there.

Reading books or watching shows about change
Stories can help children understand and express their feelings. They also remind them they’re not alone.

Celebrating their progress
Help them reflect on how far they’ve come this year. Celebrate the wins, big or small. Remind them: “Look what you’ve done!”

Preparing gently for what’s next
Talk about September calmly and only as much as needed. Focus on what will stay the same as well as what might change.

This term asks a lot of our young people.
So let’s give them what they really need:
Safety. Predictability. And space to feel all the feels.

You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re doing beautifully.
You’ve got this, and so do they. 💛

If your child is struggling with BIG feelings, we help children SHINE at school and beyond.
We support children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, offering everything from one-off pay-as-you-need sessions to full support packages.

Book your free initial consultation today.
🌐 Visit www.sunnykidsshine.com
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