If your kid doesn’t want to go back to school, punishment isn’t the answer | CNN

This article is one of a three-part series designed to help kids and parents begin the school year smoothly. Tuesday’s story covers making friends, and Wednesday’s story will focus on parent concerns about your school’s decisions. It’s nearly time for your kid to go back to school — but what if they don’t want to? If so, it may help to know it’s more common than you might realize. “I speak to educators every day, and they keep telling me that it’s a growing problem,” said Jayne Demsky, founder and CEO of the School Avoidance Alliance, a Mahwah, New Jersey-based company that helps families and schools handle the challenge. Demsky said she’s also seeing more parents than ever joining her online support groups. I’ve also been hearing about this problem more often in my talks to parents, educators and students across the country about how to manage kids’ screen time. During the summer, kids have more time to be on screens. Many apps have been designed to get them addicted. They’re intensely stimulating and bombard kids with constant dopamine hits in the form of likes or points on video games, usually in exchange for very little effort. No wonder it’s shock