Hanging Off The Wire: The First Day of School

The first day of school. All kinds of pictures flash through our minds when we hear that. We think of freshly sharpened pencils and new backpacks and suddenly we’re in tears. What? Tears? Yep, tears. When our babies suddenly become old enough to go to kindergarten, all kinds of feelings rise up and sadness is definitely one of them. Yes, there is an air of excitement and the shopping is fun, but we realize that another milestone in our baby’s childhood has just been reached and we can’t help but look at it through misty eyes.

Just like we get our kids ready, a little preparation can go a long way to making the first day of school a joyful event for Mommy, too. Here are a few things I’ve learned that just might get you off on the right foot:

If possible, arrange for a tour of the school. Knowing what it looks like, meeting the principal, and getting a feel for this place that your child will spend a great deal of time in will go a long way to settling your fears. There’s a reason that schools encourage parents to bring the kids to orientations – and it’s not just because junior needs to see what’s coming. It’s for you, too. Take advantage of it if you can and use the time to initiate conversations with staff and other parents who are present.

Don’t be an island – get to know some of the other Mothers. There’s a chance that your children will travel the next twelve (or more!) years together and getting to know some of the parents will not only set you up for important Intel when the kids are older, it will give you a network of people who are going through the same thing you are. In our school, a few Mom’s initiated a “Kindee Mommy’s Night Out” and it’s been fantastic getting to know other Mom’s in my neighborhood. Many of us are first timers for school and together, with the help of the ‘veterans’ we’re getting the hang of it all. Knowing that there are others you can turn to when you need information or support is priceless.

Get a routine going before school starts. We do this with the kids, but, really, it’s something we need to do for ourselves, too. Just think, now a whole new world of lunch making, permission slip signing, and getting children up early to be ready on time is coming your way. If you start by putting yourself into a routine, you’ll be able to get through it all in a snap. I had to get up even earlier to ensure I had enough time to not only get me ready for work, but to also have my kids fed, dressed and packed up to go. It was a challenge, and I highly recommend you practice ahead of time. Your routine also includes all the things you do the night before. I learned the hard way to do as much as I could before bed, so I suggest you might want to do the same. If you are a stay at home Mom, plan for the change in dynamics. If you only have one child, or a baby that naps, there will now be quiet time you might not have had before. Be ready for it. We may talk about wanting some free time, but after all the hustle and bustle when it comes around it can be very disconcerting. Think about what you’ll do so you aren’t left feeling lonely. You might want to plan a little something for yourself – a sweet treat and a bath, a book you’ve always wanted to read, or a project that you’ve never had time for. It may not be something you do every day, but having a plan for the first week or so is a good idea. Save all the catch up chores for the second week – you’ve earned the treat.

Put the school, daycare, close neighbors, friends or family on speed-dial and in your cellphone. This way you can reach them if you need them from wherever you might be. You never know when you might get stuck in a traffic jam, at work or at an appointment and it’s good to know you can call to get help in an emergency. While you are at it, have an alternate pick up plan to follow, maybe with a safe word so your kids know its ok, too. (Even though you may have called the school, it’s good to have the kids feel safe to go, even with adults they know and trust). If you have children with special needs – medical or otherwise – make sure you’ve got that well communicated before school starts. My children have severe allergies and it sure made a difference to have discussed this and arranged my son’s emergency care with the school so I knew that if he needed it, he’d be ok. This was one of my biggest fears and I’m very comfortable now with what was arranged.

When our babies go to school, it’s a big event for the whole family. By following a few simple steps and preparing not only your children but also yourself, you set things up for success. Remember, this is an exciting moment for your child. When you encourage them to have fun and enjoy every moment, make that a double ended message. Be prepared so you can embrace the change and wonderful things will happen. Friendships, proud moments and maybe even a little time for yourself await!