Samantha Frost Counseling, LLC.

Samantha Frost Counseling, LLC. I have been a teacher for 10 years in a diverse lower socio-economic school, leading to counseling.

My years in education made me truly realize the need for mental health services as well as education.

08/14/2026

Finally, hopefully at this point, you have opened up communication with your child. Your reaction matters more than you think.

Listen without fixing immediately: Avoid jumping straight to advice unless they ask for it.

Match their energy: If they are venting about something minor, validate it ("Ugh, that sounds super frustrating") instead of dismissing it ("That's not a big deal").

Use curious follow-ups: Reply with "Tell me more about that" or "What did you do next?" rather than steering the conversation to a lesson.

08/13/2026

Make communicating with your child (family) a game:

If asking direct questions still comes up with short answers, turn sharing into a family routine or game where everyone (including parents) participates. These are great for a family dinner or conversation in the car on the way to your many activities.

Rose, Thorn, and Bud:
* Rose: The best part of your day.
* Thorn: Something that was hard or frustrating.
* Bud: Something you are looking forward to tomorrow.

High, Low, Buffalo:
* High: Best moment.
* Low: Worst or trickiest moment.
* Buffalo: Something weird, random, or funny that happened.

Two Truths and a Lie (School Edition):
* Have your child state three things about their school day—two true events and one fake one—and try to guess which one is the lie.

08/12/2026

Tip #2 on eliciting responses about your child's day: Be more specific in your questioning.

For Younger Kids (Ages 4–8): Younger children respond best to concrete, playful, and choice-based questions.

-"Did you laugh out loud at anything today?"
-"What was the loudest part of your day?"
-"Did anyone bring anything cool in their lunchbox today?"
-"What game did you play at recess?"
-"If your day was an animal, would it be a sleepy sloth, an energetic puppy, or something else?"

Middle Schoolers: Tweens are starting to focus heavily on social dynamics and personal autonomy.

-"What was the best thing you ate today?"
-"Did your teacher say anything surprising or funny today?"
-"Who did you sit next to at lunch/recess today?"
-"Scale of 1 to 10: How was today's vibe?"
-"Was there any drama in class or at recess today?"

High Schoolers: Teens value privacy and hate feeling quizzed. Use casual, observational, or opinion-based prompts.

-"What was the least boring part of your day?"
-"Did anything weird or unexpected happen today?"
-"How are your classes feeling workload-wise so far?"
-"Did you hear any good music or news on the way to school?"
-"Is there anything on your mind about tomorrow that I can help with?

08/11/2026

The number of parents I have in my office or in my classroom who say they can not get an answer from their child about how their day was or what they did has become increasingly alarming to an extent.

If I had to guess, many of you ask the same things of your children and get, "It was fine," or "we didn't do anything." Part of this is due to cognitive overload.

My next back-to-school tip series is going to be about how to elicit genuine responses about how your child's day was.

Don't focus on changing what you ask, but on when you ask. Timing is everything when it comes to kids.

Respect the "After-School Collapse": Kids spend all day following rules, regulating emotions, and sitting still. Coming home to immediate questioning can feel like an interrogation.

The 30-Minute Buffer: Give them 30 to 60 minutes of zero-pressure downtime—a snack, quiet play, or resting—before attempting "real" conversations.

Utilize "Side-by-Side" Time: Kids (especially older ones and boys) talk more freely when they don't have direct eye contact. Good times to talk include:

In the car while driving.

While preparing dinner together.

During an evening walk. (This is one I will even use in my practice when I feel like I'm struggling to get responses. It eliminates the pressure by not having to fully focus on the person in front of you.)

08/10/2026

I've decided to share a few more tips for back-to-school time.

Here is a great example of a general checklist that can be beneficial throughout the upcoming school year. I'll be completely honest: I had Gemini help me with this; it is a great start for overall tips. You can do the same and tailor it more to you and your family.

🌙 Evening Routine: "Future-You Prep"The secret to a peaceful morning happens the night before. Aim to complete these tasks at least 1 hour before bed.

🎒 1. School Bag & Papers (10 mins)

[ ] Unpack & Clear: Empty lunchboxes, water bottles, and note folders immediately upon getting home.
[ ] Form Check: Sign any permission slips, agendas, or school forms and put them straight back into the backpack.
[ ] Pack Up: Put completed homework, books, and special gear (e.g., gym shoes, instrument) into the backpack. Zip it up and place it in the designated launchpad zone.

🍱 2. Food & Hydration (10 mins)

[ ] Pack Lunches: Prep sandwiches, chop fruits/veggies, or pack bento boxes.
[ ] Water Bottles: Fill water bottles and place them in the fridge overnight.
[ ] Breakfast Prep: Set out non-perishable items (cereal bowls, oatmeal packs, pans) on the counter.

👕 3. Outfits & Environment (5 mins)

[ ] Check the Weather: Look at tomorrow's forecast together.
[ ] Lay Out Clothing: Select everything—top, bottoms, underwear, socks, and shoes. Place them in one visible spot.
[ ] Device Charging: Plug in tablets/laptops and personal devices at a central charging station (outside bedrooms).

😴 4. Wind-Down & Sleep

[ ] Screens Away: Turn off all screens 30–60 minutes before bed.[ ] Calming Ritual: 10–15 minutes of reading, journaling, or listening to quiet music/audiobooks.
[ ] Lights Out: Maintain a consistent sleep time to make waking up natural.

☀️ Morning Routine: "Low-Friction Flow"Keep mornings predictable and simple. Avoid adding new tasks or big discussions during this window.

⏰ Phase 1: Parent Head-Start (15–30 mins before kids wake up)

[ ] Wake up, stretch, and drink water.
[ ] Enjoy 10–15 minutes of quiet time (coffee, reading, or silent breathing) to set your own calm baseline.
[ ] Get yourself ready first so you aren't rushing while managing the kids.

🌅 Phase 2: Kids' Wake-Up & Self-Care (20–30 mins)

[ ] Gentle wake-up call (use light, music, or a consistent alarm).
[ ] Get dressed in pre-selected clothes before coming down for breakfast.
[ ] Morning hygiene: Brush teeth, wash face, brush hair.

🥞 Phase 3: Fuel & Out the Door (25–30 mins)

[ ] Simple Breakfast: Stick to low-prep, high-protein or complex-carb breakfasts (e.g., eggs, peanut butter toast, oatmeal, yogurt).
[ ] Grab & Go: Grab prepped lunches and water bottles from the fridge and add them to backpacks.
[ ] Shoes & Outerwear: Put on shoes and jackets 5–10 minutes before exit time.
[ ] Final Launch Pad Check: Backpacks, water bottles, keys, jackets.

💡 Quick Tips for Success: Create a "Launchpad Zone":
Designate one hook or shelf near the door specifically for backpacks, coats, and shoes. Nothing else goes there.

Visual Checklists for Kids: For younger children, turn these lists into simple picture charts or dry-erase boards hung at eye level.

Use Timers, Not Nagging: Use visual timers or playful musical playlists (e.g., "When this 3-song playlist ends, we leave!") to keep kids moving without yelling.

08/09/2026

My final back-to-school tip:

Be a partner with the school early!

If your child has a history of anxiety, ADHD, or sensory challenges, don't wait for issues to arise:

Reach out to the teacher, school counselor, or nurse before or during the first week.

Keep it concise: Share 3 key things that help your child reset when they are feeling overwhelmed.

This is important throughout the remainder of the school year. Communication is key for all parties involved!

08/08/2026

My 4th tip, which can be the most challenging of them all...

Protect Your Own Mental Space

Kids absorb parental stress like a sponge. If you are visibly panicked about supplies, schedules, and bus routes, they will internalize that the transition is unsafe.

Lower the bar on perfection: Meals don't need to be fancy during week one. Give yourself permission to use shortcuts (pre-packaged snacks, simple dinners).

Set boundaries around school communications: You don't need to check school emails or parent portals right before bed. Set a designated time during the day to handle school logistics.

Model healthy self-talk: Let your child hear you navigate your own stress constructively: "I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all these forms, so I'm going to take five deep breaths and tackle them one by one." This one is my favorite; kids learn best from modeled behavior, good or bad. Show them and show them often.

08/07/2026

Back-to-school tip #3: Identify the non-verbal signs of stress

Children and teens don't always know how to communicate what they're feeling; typically, they won't say "I'm overwhelmed." Stress often shows up physically or behaviorally:

In elementary kids: Frequent stomachaches, headaches, regression (bedwetting, thumb sucking), extra clinginess, meltdown after school.

In middle school/high school kids: Irritability/snappiness, changes in sleep or eating habits, pulling away from family, excessive screen time to avoid thoughts.

A little side note: The After-School "Restraint Collapse": If your child melts down the second they get home, it usually means they held it together all day at school and finally feel safe enough with you to let go. Give them 30–60 minutes of quiet downtime before asking about their day.

08/06/2026

My second back-to-school tip in our series:

Validate, then problem-solve.

When kids show worry ("What if I don't like my teacher?" or "What if nobody sits with me at lunch?"), your instinct as a parent is typically to reassure immediately ("You'll be fine!"). Instead, lead with empathy.

Name/identify the emotion: "It makes total sense that you're nervous about making new friends."

Ask permission before offering advice: "Do you want to brainstorm some ideas together, or do you just want to vent right now?"

Focus on control: Help them separate what they can control (their reaction, packing their bag, who they talk to) from what they cannot (who is in their class, class schedules).

08/05/2026

Back to School can be very challenging for some students, especially those who experience depression and anxiety.

I'm going to do another daily series on how to support your child during this stressful time!

Pre-load your routine

Begin the sleep changes 10- 14 days in advance: Shift bedtimes and wake times back by 15–30 minutes every few days rather than making a jarring switch the night before school starts.

Do practice runs of the mornings: Walk or drive the school route, locate the bus stop, or do a walk-through of the school if possible. Familiarity dramatically reduces first-day jitters.

Try to find a low-conflict routine that works for your family: Keep goodbyes warm, confident, and brief. Longer farewells tend to escalate separation anxiety.

Address

6315 Chancelllor Drive
Cedar Falls, IA

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9pm
Tuesday 5pm - 9pm
Wednesday 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Telephone

+13192505982

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