Tips To Prepare Your Kid (and Yourself) For Starting School

It’s back to school season . While some parents might bashfully admit to this being their favorite time of the year, others own the joy and sweet freedom that comes with their children starting school. For parents who are sending their little ones off to school for the first time, there might be more mixed emotions.

It might seem like you were pregnant yesterday or that you just had your baby in your arms. In the blink of an eye, they’re all grown up and off to school. While there might be excitement for the start of something new, feelings of anxiety and fear of the unknown are normal too. The good news is that parents around the world have successfully passed through this milestone for centuries. Here is advice on how to prepare yourself and your children for starting school for the first time.

Common Anxieties For Parents

Although summer is a time of sweet freedom for kids, for parents, it’s a time to prepare for the new school year. When sending a child to school for the first time, parents often have many questions and anxieties. Author and working mom expert Christine Michel Carter advised parents to have faith that they have prepared their child for starting school.

“Trust that you’ve prepared your child well and that they are ready for this new adventure,” Carter said. “Stay positive and supportive, as your child will mirror your attitude.”

Reassure Your Child

As kids head back to school, it’s important to encourage them to open up about their feelings. Ask them what they’re excited about and what they’re nervous about.

“Listen like you’re hearing the most important news in the world because, to them, it is,” Carter said.

To reassure your child through anxiety and doubt, channel your inner cheerleader. Carter encouraged parents to talk up the start of school like it’s the most exciting show they’ll ever see. Highlight the fun activities, the ability to make new friends and the endless adventures they’ll have.

“Share your own school tales, no matter how embarrassing,” she said. “Show them that you survived and even thrived, and they will too.”

Another great tool to reassure your children is books about starting school. They’re like guides that can make the unknown seem familiar and fun.

Tips to Make Back to School Easier

One hack for helping your children starting school is establishing a solid morning and evening routine before school starts. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until the day before school starts to change bedtimes. Establish this routine in the weeks leading up to school, which will give your children time to adapt. You can start slowly adjusting bedtime and morning routines to match the school schedule.

“It’s like giving your child a comforting roadmap to navigate the chaos,” Carter said.

Children thrive on routine and knowing what to expect helps them feel secure and prepared. Carter wishes she had known the magic behind establishing a solid morning and evening routine before school starts.

“When I was scrambling around like a headless chicken each morning, my kids caught the frenzy and joined in the chaos,” she said. “Imagine a mini-stampede of little humans in the morning rush. [It’s] adorable, but not exactly the best way to start the day.”

It’s also important to plan ahead. Parents should know that calm mornings begin with calm evenings. Planning ahead, setting out clothes, packing lunches and establishing a bedtime routine are a game-changer.

Advice for Parents

It is normal to feel a mix of emotions when sending your kids off to school for the first time. You might feel a mixture of pride, excitement, and even a little sadness. Connect with other moms going through the same experience for support and advice.

Carter encouraged that it will probably feel amazing to have a break during the day. At the same time, this is a significant milestone for both your child and you.

“As an older parent, I wish I could go back and be there again to savor the first day of school,” she added. “The moment goes by so fast.”

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