Small Memories

As the first day of school approaches, children are either dreading or looking forward to it. Their reactions will likely be based on whether they have experience to fall back on or not. If your child is going back to school, they probably have a good idea of the routine, expectations, when they will see their friends. If your child is going to school for the first time, they’re likely feeling a little bit apprehensive. These strategies can be used to help sooth your child’s first-day fears.

Speaking positively about school is one of the best things you can do to help your child combat the first-day-of-school fears. Your attitude and speech about school will greatly affect how they view it. Tell them about your first day of school, and admit to them if you were a little scared. It’s alright for them to be a little frightened, but that once they get there, they’ll soon be so busy having fun that they won’t have time to be afraid any longer.

Many children,who are going to school for the first time, are afraid because they’ll be away from Mom for the first time. You can help them by reassuring them that you’ll be back to pick them up when their day is through. If your child is riding the bus, you can tell them that you’ll be home when they get there. Allowing them to carry something of yours in their pocket might also help to sooth some fears.

Taking your child to school a couple of days before school starts is a good way to ease your child’s fears. If they are familiar with the school, where the bathrooms and lunchroom are, and what to expect, they’ll be more likely to handle the first day well. It would also be helpful if your child were able to visit their classroom and meet their teacher.

Speaking of classrooms, most schools allow parents to take children to their classroom on the first day of school. Check with your school to see if this is possible. Walking your child to his classroom might give him the courage he needs to start the day. After your child has made a friend or gotten involved in something, quickly slip out of the room; don’t stay there too long.

When the school day is over, you may want to either go to school and pick your child up, or wait for him at his bus stop. Ask questions to show that you are genuinely interested in what happened during their day. What did they do? Did they make new friends? Do they have something you need to look at for tomorrow? Brag on your child and tell them how brave they were. Showing interest and asking questions gives the child the opportunity to show off what they’ve learned, and let’s them be a “teacher” for a while.

Finally, start a new family tradition. Plan a “first day at school” party for your family, complete with hats and a cake. Make the day special and something for your child to look forward to when the day is through. Memories of their first day at school should be something to look back on fondly. By following these steps and helping your child with first-day jitters, you can help them look forward to each “first day” for their entire school career.

Here is a special “first day” shirt that will give your child confidence and remind him that he’s ready for anything.

Kids aren’t the only ones who get first-day jitters when they start school. Moms do too, especially if it’s their child’s first time going to school. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your child’s first day of school.

I remember when my oldest son went to kindergarten. I believe it was more traumatic for me than it was for him. He was convinced that school was a great privilege that a children earned when they turned five. I was the one who unintentionally gave him that idea.

When my son was about three and a half, we had been driving through town and saw the children playing outside at one of the elementary schools. “Mama,” he said, “I want to go play with them.” Being the dutiful parent, I told him, “Honey you can’t go play on the playground yet. You have to be five to go to school.” From that moment on, when my son introduced himself, he said, “I’m three but I have to be five to go to school.” I had two years to prepare him, but I should have spent some of that time preparing myself!

What you do in the time leading up to your child’s first day is important. It can determine how well he adjusts to the new situations. You will likely talk about things he might do and see while at school. Listen carefully to your child. If he has any fears or anxiety, try to relieve the stress by reassuring him that he has what it takes to take this new step. Tell him how proud you are of all the things he can do, now that he is big.

Don’t forget about yourself in the process! You may want to plan a few things that will help you with your own “first-day jitters.” By doing things to alleviate your anxiety during this time, you will also help your child. Try a few of these suggestions to help you keep the stress and jitters to a minimum.

Be positive about the experience! If you’re relaxed and positive about your child’s going to school, he’ll be more likely to be relaxed and positive, as well. While he may sense your nervousness, you can tell him that you’re excited for him and the new adventure that he’ll be having.

Try to “keep it together” when you drop your child off at school on the first day. If you must cry, try to hold back until you’ve reached the car. Then, allow yourself to have a good one. Don’t belittle yourself about it, either. Your “baby” is starting school and will be away from you for a good part of the day. You’ve spent the previous weeks and months preparing your child for this day. You have to trust that you’ve done is right and that your preparation will get him through the day.

Keep yourself busy while you wait for your little darling to get home. Meet a friend for lunch. Watch a funny movie. Splurge by getting a facial and a pedicure. Grab a good book and read it while taking a bubble bath. Spoil yourself a little. You deserve it and you will feel more relaxed and at ease.

After the first week or so, you will have had an opportunity to get into a routine. The anxiety won’t be nearly as bad and you’ll probably start looking forward to having more time to yourself. Now may be the time when you can take up a hobby, volunteer time to your favorite charity, or spend time with an elderly relative. Your opportunities are endless.

Sending your child off to their first day of school can be traumatic, for both mother and child. However, the above tips can help to prepare you for first-day jitters and give you some ideas of how to handle them. The adventure of school is exciting, and by following these tips, it can be enjoyable rather than stressful for mom, as well.