Surviving Your Child's First Day of Kindergarten
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
by Stephany Springer
Before I became a parent, I never understood the amount of emotions on the first day of school. As a teacher, I was ready to start my day and never took into account what the parents were feeling dropping their child off at school for the first time.
I assume if you are reading this, you are at that spot. The moment when your baby has decided that they are old enough to move on with their life without you.
So how do you survive that first day when every instinct in your body tells you that you should have never left your child or put him/her on the bus? Here are a few tips.
Take some deep breaths
No one likes making a scene and crying without breathing is sure to cause one of those scenes. If you are at this stage, I hope that you waited until you at least got out the front door of the school. It doesn't help the kids to know that their parents are losing it. That being said, go for a walk around the mall or someplace fun that you can't always enjoy because the kids are pulling you every way possible. Breathe in the fresh air getting a deeper breath each time.
Plan a date
This is a perfect day if your spouse is off work to spend the day on a long, UNINTERRUPTED date. If your spouse has to work, plan some time with friends. Go get coffee, go get pedicures, go shopping-do something you normally would not be able to do.
Bus Stop Breakfast
Bake some muffins for the neighborhood moms. Invite the other moms over for breakfast after putting kids on the bus. It will give you time to laugh and get to know your neighbors better.
Have lunch
There is no rule against having lunch with your child. I do advise that you wait a few days until they are in their routine so they make friends at lunchtime, but if you can't wait, do it. Go through the local drive thru and show up mid-day to see how it is going.
Exercise
Running or doing cardiovascular workouts release endorphins that can pick you up when you are sad. It is also a great way to spend time with other moms who are counting down the hours until pick up.
Volunteer
This is an easy way out too. There are tons of jobs that need to be done that first day and the school is always looking for volunteers. Be that volunteer and you will be able to check in on your kid throughout the day.
Be ready for pick up
NO matter if you are meeting your child at the bus, in line, or at the carpool place, be ready to greet him/her with a hug. Have a snack prepared so you can sit and hear about all the things that happened. Don't be discouraged if they do not talk all at once, give them time to wind down.
The important thing to remember is that teachers are caring individuals and only want what is best for your child. Your child is maturing and growing and it is important as parents that we remember that is what we want for our children.
Enjoy the day! Take lots of pictures and be ready for a fun year of new growth and adventures.
This Article has been viewed 970 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.