First Day of School: Help Children Adjust to Life Away from Home

We question on whom the first day of school is harder: you or your child. Think about your child, having spent the first four or five years at home, safe from the outside world, nurtured under mother's careful eye and needs met throughout the day by you or your child-care provider, who is just a phone call away.

The first day of school can bring a basket of emotion, from joy and pride to anxiety and sadness. This is especially true for the oldest and the youngest child. The older is the first to go and set the mold for the rest of his or her siblings; it isn't as scary when an older sibling has done it first. It can be really hard on a mother to see her youngest child leave the nest even for the day. When the case of an only child, the whole experience can be traumatizing, this child may act out to come home early, or even worse get physically ill.

You as a parent can do a few things to make this transition easier on both of you. Putting a child in a day care center where they can interact with other children their age group is an excellent way to expose your child to the outside world and lessen the anxiety of being separated from the family unit for a long period of time. When you pick the child up, discuss the day, what activities the child was involved in, what friends he or she made and what the plans are for the next time they stay at day care. You as a parent will set the mood and emotion, if you show excitement and enthusiasm; your child will adopt this attitude and look at it as a positive experience. There are many benefits of a day care environment. A child will develop social skills and be involved in developmental activities that they would not normally get at home. Some day cares are set up like a school environment. Choosing a day is key, you will want this to be the most positive experience possible for your child.

Getting your child involved in activities that encourage relationships and friendships with other children is another way. Joining a club or organization such as the YMCA or community centers is another great way to expose children to the group atmosphere. You can also find a parks or pools where children are in abundance and welcome a new playmate. Doing a little research of what is available in your community will benefit you and your child.

In conclusion, a little preparation can make the first day of school a welcomed event for you and your child. Sure there will be some mixed emotions, but that is only natural. Soon your child will be part of a whole new world outside his or her family unit. They will come home with the wonderful things they made you in art class, stars on papers to hang on the refrigerator and teach you a few new things. Share these precious moment because they will only happen once, like first steps, this is a natural first steps for a child to enter the world on their own and be a healthy, productive adults that will learn to be independent and happy adult.