Navigating Back to School Transitions: For Parents and Kids
The transition back to school can be exciting, overwhelming, and chaotic for both kids and parents. This year was especially meaningful for me because my daughter started junior kindergarten for the very first time.
I thought I had done everything I could to prepare her and myself for the big day. I called the school, tried to get her classroom details, and did everything possible to reduce her anxiety and my own. But I was told something that many parents probably hear: “Just show up on the first day, and things will fall into place.”
That advice sounded simple enough, but as a parent, I knew it would mean a lot of unknowns. I remember asking: isn’t this going to spike the kids’ anxiety? Isn’t it overwhelming for parents too? Unfortunately, due to staff shortages and other barriers, the answer was, “We just have to do the best we can.”
So, we showed up.
And yes, it was chaos.
Dozens of children, many crying. I looked at my tiny human, who still feels like a newborn in my heart, and thought: How am I sending you into this big world?
My daughter had been excited for school, and thanks to daycare, she was somewhat prepared. But when she saw other children crying, she started crying too. And I’m not going to lie, I cried as well. I tried walking her into the classroom, comforting her, talking through it. Eventually, though, I had to leave her there. And my whole day shifted.
I kept wondering: Is she okay? Who’s giving me updates? How do I cope with this lack of control?
What I learned, and what I want to share with other parents, is that it is okay not to feel okay. It is okay to want to protect your child fiercely and still feel powerless in certain systems. It is okay to have a hard day after drop-off.
What helped me most was leaning on my support system. My husband, my mom, my sister, and my best friend all showed up for us in their own ways. Together, they are not just my support system, but also my daughter’s. That reminded me that parenting does not have to be a solo journey.
Practical Tips for Parents Navigating Back to School Transitions
If you are also sending your little one to school for the first time or navigating another new school year, here are some reminders that may help:
Prepare Your Child but Prepare Yourself Too: Reading books about school, visiting the playground ahead of time, or practicing routines can help your child. But also ask yourself: what do I need for my own peace of mind?
Expect Mixed Emotions: Excitement, fear, sadness, and pride can all coexist. Allow yourself to feel them without judgment.
Plan for After Drop-Off: The first day can be emotionally draining. Give yourself permission to take it slow. Whether it is treating yourself to a tea, journaling, or going for a walk, make space to process your emotions.
Use Your Support System: Reach out to friends, family, or even other parents. Sometimes just sharing “I cried too” is enough to make you feel less alone.
Communicate with Your Child: Ask open-ended questions at the end of the day: What was your favorite part? What was tricky? This creates space for them to process their experience.
Remember: Kids Are Resilient: They may cry in the morning but often bounce back quickly. Sometimes the hardest part is the goodbye, not the whole day.
On that note…
Back to school transitions remind us that parenting is a journey of both holding on and letting go. As parents, we want to protect our children from every difficult feeling, but sometimes the best gift we can give them is the space to build resilience while also modeling how to take care of ourselves.
So if you are navigating the chaos of September, remember you are not alone, it is okay to cry, and it is okay to lean on others. Both you and your child are learning to grow through this transition, and that is something worth celebrating.
