How to Prepare Yourself for the First Day of School?

School is essentially an important part of a child’s life to develop the overall personality and independent thinking. The learning of different subjects at school helps to gain knowledge and acquaints the child with different cultures and traditions.  
 

Parents are well aware of the positive factors of schooling that their child will benefit from in the future. Parents give their best in preparing their children for the first day of school, but at the same time, they do not acknowledge the amount of preparation they themselves require for their children’s first day of school. Hence, resulting in a rollercoaster of overwhelmingly extreme emotions. 

 Check out: How to Prepare Your Child for the First Day at School

How do parents feel on their child’s first day of school?

The first day of school is a major milestone yet a colossal change for parents as well as for the child. This prominent change is usually rough for the parents and filled with mixed emotions as the child gets separated from the parents for the first time. The separation can also lead to anxiety and the other feelings which are mentioned below:

1.    Handling the change can be tumultuous due to an intense emotional rush. 

2.     The parents’ continuous worry about the child generally leads to overthinking and questions to self, such as: is the child able to manage? Is the child crying? Is the child alright by himself? and so forth.

3.      Parents are used to having their child with them for 3-4 years and simultaneously the child gets accustomed to the norms and daily routines of his/her house. This habitual pattern often leads to anxiety for parents. 

4.      Parents tend to think that it will be difficult for the child to meet new people and adapt to the different routines.

You might like to read: Importance of Nutrition in First 1000 Days of Life 

 What are the ways to ease anxiety? 

Going through the mix of emotions and anxiety is natural and bound to happen. But there is always a way to handle this healthily to allow a proper transition for you and your kids. Some ways that can help you in easing the anxiety and worries. 

1) Preparing the child: Preparing the child for the first day can help you to be at ease. You might be satisfied with the feeling that you have prepared your child for the best. You will have confidence and think positively. 

2) Trusting the school: Before enrolling the child in any school, do proper research about the safety of students, how the school works, and how friendly teachers are. After your child gets enrolled in the school, be firm with your decision in choosing the school and have trust in it. 

 Also read: Preparing Child For Transfer From Playschool To Formal School

3) Relationship with teachers: It’s always good to know the teachers who will be teaching your child. You may create a bond with them. You can talk to them and if your child requires special attention, you may request the teachers for the same. Also, bonding with the teacher can help you to gain trust and be at ease. 

4) Help from a professional: If you are anxious continually for a long time, seek professional help. Learn the ways how you can bring yourself at peace. 

5) Acceptance: Accept the fact that schooling is inevitable. It is a need of today’s world. Separating your child from yourself due to schooling is inescapable. You have to pursue sending the child to the school for his betterment. 

6) Chit Chat with other parents: While dropping off your little one at school, you might meet other parents. Try to communicate with them. Know about their experiences and tell them about yours. In this way, you will be able to understand that all your prolonged worries are vague. 

DOs and DONTs 

 Some dos and don’ts can clarify things much further and help you to reduce your panic. Knowing these dos and don'ts will prepare you in the best possible way to prepare your child, subsequently leading you to gain self-satisfaction. 

Dos

1. Prepare your child: You may have a conversation with your child where you can try to state the reason for attending the school. You can narrate to him/her the stories related to the first of school. In this way, the child will be familiar with the school. 

2. Gaining the child’s faith: While dropping the child at the school, you may assure that you will be meeting him/her in a few hours. You can also assure that he/she will enjoy it there. 

3. Ask questions: Try to have a conversation with your child. Ask him/her questions about the school, activities, and other similar things. Do not forget to ask the child the things he/she disliked. 

4. Practice eating: Don’t wait for the school to start to teach the child how to eat from a lunchbox. Start practicing it at least a week before. Educate the child about the things that need to be thrown in the dustbin. 

5. Gaining faith in the teacher: You can prepare your child to gain faith in the teacher by having creative talks with him/her. If the child gets comfortable with the teacher, he/she will be able to communicate about his/her problems faced in the class. 

6.  Preparing for school: Do not leave things undone for the day of school. You should do all the possible things the day before. For example: preparing the bags, adding notes for teachers, preparing the breakfast’s menu, assembling uniforms, etc. The morning of the first day of school should be organized to not panic. 

DONTs
 

1. No crying: Do not cry in front of the child. He/she might become emotional as well. Watching the child leave in tears at school might be awful for you to witness. Hence, reduce the triggers that can make your child cry.

2. Not a bad parent: Do not think of yourself as a bad parent walking away from the child while he is teary-eyed. Goodbyes are tough but don’t prolong them. 

3. ‘No’ to unfamiliar things: Your child might not be aware of a few food items as well as dishes. Don’t give him the things that he/she isn't accustomed to. Give the child the lunch that he/she likes. This will prevent you from overthinking about his meals and the panic the child might gain from the unknown things. 

4. No comparison: Do not compare your child with some other child you know. Your child is a different individual and might react differently to school. If you compare the child, you may end up becoming impatient or might even start doubting yourself as a bad parent.

5. Comfortable clothes: Don’t add on uncomfortable clothes on your child. You should not dress him to impress. But do assure the dress is neat and clean. If the child wears comfortable clothes, you will be at ease with the thought that your child is not going to face any problems related to the clothing. 

Most of the parents, like you, go through the same roller coaster. You all should know that whatever you are doing is for your kid’s betterment. You are helping the kid to get better. You are preparing him/her for life. Don’t think of yourself as a bad parent for walking away if your child’s eyes are teary, be proud that the child is learned and grown. Don’t forget the first day is going to be very exciting as well. You are going to hear all the stories from your child about his/her day. Relax parents, we are sure that you are going to make it! You deserve all the appreciation. 

All the best!