30 Days With: My Schoolrefusing Sister

Thirty days didn't fix her. It didn't magically transform her back into the girl who ironed her uniform the night before. That girl is gone, and maybe that’s okay.

As I tried to understand what was going on, I realized that my sister's behavior was not just about refusing to go to school; it was about avoiding the feelings of anxiety and overwhelm that came with it. I began to research school refusal, talking to experts and reading about the experiences of other families who had gone through similar situations. 30 days with my schoolrefusing sister

Suggest a 5-minute somatic reset: shaking hands, pressing feet into the floor, humming. Say: “This is weird, but it helps my anxiety. Want to try?” No pressure. Do it yourself nearby. Thirty days didn't fix her

If you or someone you know is struggling with school refusal, contact a child psychologist or school counselor. Look for “anxiety-informed” approaches, not punitive ones. And if you’re a sibling? You don’t have to fix it. You just have to stay. As I tried to understand what was going

Is it anxiety, bullying, a learning disability, or depression?

Old me would’ve panicked. New me said, “Okay. What do you need today?”