Going to School Blues

Picture this scene! You've parked the car and walked around to get your kindergartener out of the seat--backpack on his back, shoes on the right feet, hair combed, lunch box in hand and then all of the sudden, he becomes a wide eyed, bewildered statue. "Waah" is followed by tears streaming down the cheeks, hands glued to the car door handle, and those brand new tennis shoes cemented to the pavement. Too late now--so you end up dragging your child screaming into the classroom. And now, YOU are crying too! Wow, what a morning! Is it possible to avoid this scene? Is there anyway for that first day of school to be a little easier? Well, hopefully yes--but you must start NOW--especially for those "first time in school kids."
Yes, the first day of school can be emotional for both parent and child, but it is all really quite normal. You can, however, reduce the fear of the unknown and therefore much of the anxiety surrounding that wonderful dreaded day. Listed below are just a few tips that might help you and your child survive and perhaps even enjoy the first day or so of school.
* Ease Your child into a New Routine: Have your child go to bed at school night bedtime a few nights before the first day. Set an alarm clock for the correct school wake up time and get up!
* Try a School Run or Two: Go over your child's bus route (if they are riding a bus). If your child is a car rider, then get in the car with your child and actually "do the drive" to the school, talking about where you will turn, showing your child where you will drop him off and pick him up. You might even want to "practice" walking into the school door.
Get ready the night before: Establish a routine that requires your child to pick an outfit (if not in uniforms) for the school day. Pack the backpack the night before. (This is good for EVERY school day so that any last minute rushing is eliminated.
* Breakfast and Prayer: Make sure you and your child have enough time to sit down to an adequate breakfast. Pray with your child thanking God for this wonderful opportunity and adventure.
* Talk, Talk Talk: Talk, POSITIVELY, about the school, the teachers, the principal and the entire school experience.
* Take a School Tour: Call the school and arrange to tour the school with your child. Help your child find their way around the school and the location of their classroom and teh bathroom. If possible meet with both the teacher and the principal.
* Make a New Friend: If possible, introduce your child to a classmate before the first day of school.
* What Now: Make sure your child knows what to do after school is out. If going to an afterschool program, familiarize your child with that program just like you did the school. Make sure your child has emergency phone numbers in his or her backpack and also knows how to get help in an emergency.
* Ask and Listen: After school make sure and ask your child SPECIFIC questions about the day, such as, "What letter did you work on today?" "What is the name of one new person you met today?" Discussion questions are much better than yes or no questions. No multitasking when you are talking to your child about school--what could be more important, anyway?
Of course there are lots of other ideas, but hopefully this will get you both off to a good start. Remain positive about the school experience. If you start crying--it's okay--it's a big deal for both of you. If your child sees you crying it's okay to explain to him or her what you are feeling, reassuring them that going to school and learning is a good thing! So--off to school with you and have a GREAT year!