A new school year can be exciting, but it can also be scary and stressful.

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has some tips to help parents alleviate some of that stress as the new year gets underway.

Clara Reynolds, President and CEO of Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, says parents are calling with a variety of concerns including:

• Financial strains
• Violence in schools
  
• Coronavirus
  
• School overcrowding because of teacher shortage

Reynolds has some recommendations for parents, starting with making sure conversations are happening regularly.

"Make sure it’s a very calm environment, it’s not very stressful," she said. "Preferably when you're doing something because when the hands are moving so is the mouth."

Reynolds also recommends:

• Ask specific, open-ended questions
  
• Be sure the child gets a turn to talk
• Validate your child's feelings
• Correct any misconceptions
• Follow a routine

"When they’ve got some anxieties or worries, problem solve together because really what is at the heart of anxiety it’s often times fear of the unknown," said Reynolds.

She says it's normal for children to feel a little nervous at the beginning of a new school year and to give it about two weeks to get settled. Reynolds says if there are concerns and struggles after three to five weeks, she suggests reaching out for help, by calling 211, reaching out to your child's pediatrician or your clergy.