Making the First Day of School a Success

When September rolls around again your child may be beginning on a new life's adventure - going to school. Whether they are two years old and going for a few hours or five years old and starting kindergarten, they will be away from you, maybe for the first time. Some children will happily go off to play and have fun. But others will not go so willingly. Many children will be crying, clinging and fearing having their parent leave them with strangers. So here are a few tips to help you have an easier, happier first day of school.

Your attitude is everything.Your child reads your feelings far better then they read any book. If you feel afraid to leave them, or feel sad that they are growing up, they will sense your apprehension. Be positive and happy. Cry when you get back to your car.

Take your child to the school a few times before the first day.Try to make the new situation as familiar as possible for them. If the teacher is there let them meet. Many schools will arrange this and have the children and parents come to play together before school starts. That's nice. But having your child meet the teacher when no one else is around will give both of them a better chance to get to know each other. And it may help you with your anxious feelings too.

Arrange play dates with other children who will be in their class.I know you are busy and may be working long hours. Play dates with nannies are the norm. But during this time your participation is key. When your child sees you with the new mothers and children they will see that you are relaxed around them and there is nothing to fear.

Do not say you are leaving then hide in the building and show up if things get rough! This is a real no-no for sure. Your child will always expect you to appear and will escalate their tantrums thinking that you will appear again. Tell your child where you will be. If you are staying in another room say so. But if you are leaving, tell them the truth. You might be surprised how quickly your child will calm down once they know you really aren't there and that their crying will not make you appear.

Give your child a transitional object. A transitional object is something that belongs to you that you child knows well. Things like a lip stick case -take out the lipstick - or something else from your purse will do well. Dads may have a money clip or key chain. Don't leave them with anything important. And do not give it as a gift. Give it to them to hold for you and let them know you will need it later in the day. This way the child feels that you must come back for the item they are holding. But remember to tell the teacher exactly what you are leaving. If the child loses the transitional object and can't find it they will get very upset and the teacher must know what you have left so she can find it with them.

Don't be late picking up your child. Even a few minutes is very frightening when they see other parents arriving and you are not there.

These days a lot of children start day care almost at birth. For those children the first day of school may be a smoother transition. But it's still a special time for the entire family. It's filled with all kinds of emotions for everyone. Your baby is growing up. Taking the time to make it a happy and positive experience may mean taking a day or two off from work. But you've got the vacation days - use them!