We’ve all experienced the first day anxiety of something…You know that YUCKY feeling you get on the first day back to school when your stomach is turned upside down doing somersaults like it’s in the Olympics. As a former school teacher, I have seen that agonizing look of fear on so many faces on the first day of school.
Believe it or not, most teachers go to great extremes to help ease their students’ hearts and minds on the first day. But no matter what parents and teachers do, that first day can be a rough one.
So, what can moms do to help ease the anxiety of their sweet babes?
- Talk about what your child can expect on his first day. Most teachers play getting-to-know you games and set basic rules for their classes. The most important part to focus on is getting-to-know your teacher and his or her rules and procedures.
- Help your kids understand that everyone is in the same boat. Help them to realize that the kid sitting next to them in first period is having the same thought, “don’t call on me” running through their head like a freight train.
- Go over bus routes, walk-home routes and even take a tour of the school if necessary. Try to walk class schedules before the first day, so your kids know the best time to take bathroom and locker breaks.
- Try to meet their teachers in advance, so they can begin getting-to-know you and your child. And yes, go to orientation—believe it or not, you and your kids might learn something you didn’t know before.
- Pack a lunch. Sometimes, cafeterias and food stores have glitches in the first week. They can avoid waiting in long lines or eliminate anxiety about getting their lunch if you simply pack them a lunch.
- Pray with your kiddos about the upcoming day. Pray at bedtime the night before and the morning of the first day. It’s amazing what peace God can bring through simple prayer. And try to make this prayer time together a habit for the rest of the school year.
- Make sure any summer reading is already finished. You don’t want your child sleepy-eyed on the first day because they stayed up late to finish summer reading or any other work due.
- And yes, start the school sleep routine at least a few days to a week in advance, so your child will already be accustomed to going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.
- Be considerate of your child’s worries and fears. Listen to them and show empathy toward them.
- Help them be excited about learning. Create a special place at home for them to study and do homework. Whether it be a small desk, favorite chair or bean bag, make an inviting place that is private and all their own to study in solitude.
Happy first day!
Blessings,
Allison D
➢ What are some things that make you or your children anxious about going back to school?
➢ Which of the 10 ideas above might help you best?
➢ Be honest. Who’s more stressed out about back-to-school, you or your children?
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