It's Back to School Time: Parents — Are You Ready?

Advice

Sometimes our children are more resilient than we are. As parents, we have more worries than children do. We worry about our children and how they will adapt to new environments and new changes. If you are apprehensive about your child attending school for the first time, it's quite normal. We worry if he or she will be okay without us all day; we worry if they will get off the bus and get to the right classroom; we worry if they will have a bathroom accident... we have many worries.

1. The Route. To ease your mind, a week or two before school starts, drive your child through the route to school. Talk to them as you drive. Point out landmarks along the way. Repeat this process two to three times so that you see they are comfortable. If your child is starting preschool this process is just as important.

2. Visit the School. Along with driving the school route, take them into the school. Find their classroom with them. Walk this route as if they were getting off the bus and walking into school. Show them the bathroom. Walk them through the school, visiting the gym, the office, the nurse's office, and the playground. Repeat this two to three times.

3. Meet the Teacher. As you visit the school, schedule a time to meet with their teacher. Teachers are usually in the classroom before school starts. They are busy setting up their classroom and preparing materials. Introduce yourself and ask them questions that are important to you and your child's well-being.

4. The First Day. Take your child to school on the first day. This is something that helps many parents feel more comfortable with the major change in their child's life. If you are a working parent, arrange your schedule in advance, to be able to take your child to school the first day. That way you can walk them to their classroom and know that they are safe and secure in their new environment.