{
  "id": 3219422,
  "title": "School is almost back in the UAE: Who’s more worried — your child or you? 7 ways to ease the transition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/school-is-almost-back-in-the-uae-whos-more-worried-your-child-or-you",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-25T07:35:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/school-is-almost-back-in-the-uae-whos-more-worried-your-child-or-you-7-ways-to-ease-the-transition-1.500651444"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the school year approaches in the UAE, children and parents must prepare for the transition back to education. While adjusting sleep schedules, screen time, meals, independence, and expectations can feel efficient, psychotherapist Heenal Reddy warns that doing so all at once may overwhelm children instead. Instead of overwhelming changes, she suggests focusing on one or two manageable shifts, such as bedtime and wake-up times, screen habits, mealtimes, or independence. Acknowledging the emotional shift is crucial, as children may experience anxiety, separation, new friendships, and demands that come with returning to school. Rather than labeling resistance as defiance, parents should recognize it as a child's way of coping with overwhelming change. Small tasks, like packing a snack or laying out clothes, can foster genuine independence. Emotional preparation is essential, as feelings are as important as tangible school supplies and schedules.",
  "summary": "The countdown to the first day of school has a way of turning into a full-scale operation: Earlier bedtimes, tighter screen limits, freshly organised bags, a push for independent mornings, and a mental checklist of how children 'should' behave once term starts. The trouble is, trying to get everything right before day one can end up making the transition harder, not easier. Returning to school is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}