Tips for 1st day of school

mrsjami

Hi Ladies,

DS has been at home with me and then a nanny since he's 4.5 months. Monday he is going to start school (daycare) full time.  I know it's going to be a rough transition, but looking for any tips to make it better? We went for his orientation last week and he had fun- but I was there.  Help?

dragon_chica

- A day or two before talk about the school and what will happen with drop off.  Talk about what feelings he may experience.  Let him know it's ok to feel sad and miss mom and dad but he'll have so much fun doing x, y, and z.

- Make the goodbye short and simple.  No "don't worry, mama will be back.  Just have fun and we'll see you later, blah blah blah."  Just give a simple, "I love you.  We'll see you after <insert activity that happens before pickup>" Wave excitedly and SMILE.

- If the school's ok with it let him bring a lovey.

- Pack him with a little album of your pictures.  DD's teacher told us right before naptime when she started crying they took out our pictures and that calmed her down.

- I've also heard of giving your child something of yours that they may view is of value to YOU.  So you can say, "I need you to keep this safe for mommy so when I come back you can give it to me."  That way they know you're coming back, no matter what.

 GL!  DD didn't have her meltdown until Day 2, probably because she realized this wasn't a temporary thing!  She had been with my parents up until she started school (right before her 2nd birthday.)  She cried at drop off for about the first week.  I guess we got lucky because I've heard worst.  I thought it would be worse considering how shy and scared of strangers she is.

MrsCripe10

Like PP said.  Keep it short and sweet.  Big hug, have fun, see you after .... leaving and cry in the car.  This is what I have to do at the beginning of every school year.  But it really is better for everyone if you don't drag it out.  If they think you are worried they will worry.  DD school has a window that looks out on the parking lot.  It is a morning tradition to wave to her through the window.  Most kids do.  Helps with the seperation.  The kids run to the window instead of focusing on the parents leaving.

egsquared

I agree with the short and sweet good-bye.  Drawing it out makes it so much worse.  On the flip side though, make sure you say good-bye - sometimes DD gets distracted eating or playing, but I always make sure she knows I'm leaving - I don't want her to turn around all of sudden and freak out because she thinks I'm still there. 

My DD started daycare around 17 months and also didn't melt down til day 2.  It's like she was thinking "Hey, I know what you're doing now - you're leaving me here! Why are you doing this again?"  I cried too those first few days.  Now DD cries because she doesn't want to go home and talks about her friends all the time! 

Good luck next week!

mrsjami

Thanks ladies! It's going to be interesting. Love the pic idea!