Your Baby’s First Day of Kindergarten: How Parents Can Cope and Prepare (Week 23)

Hi, and welcome to this week's Mindset blog. Thanks for joining me today!

We have spent a lot of weeks preparing your child and discussing their level of readiness, but something that often gets overlooked is whether the parents are ready for this big day and for their child to start kindergarten.

As parents, we sometimes overlook our own emotions and preparedness for this significant milestone.

Let's spend a little time discussing some things you can do to prepare yourself. It's a big day for you, too, obviously, and on some level, you probably already recognize this.

You might be really excited and looking forward to it, thinking of all the things you'll be able to get done with this new time in your day. Or you might be dreading it and worrying about the separation from your child, hoping they won't pick up on that.

Or it might be a mix of both of those things. All of it is perfectly natural.

So, on some level, you're probably already assessing your own readiness and what it's going to be like for you on that day, but there are some things that you can do to make it a little bit easier.

Let's review some of those things, ideally both for your child and for yourself.

Kindergarten readiness tips for parents and children

Visit the school early: Meet teachers and staff before day one

One of the best ways to ease anxiety is to visit your child's school and their specific classroom in advance to see exactly where they will be. Meeting their teacher is essential, but there are also other people with whom you might or might not have the opportunity to meet in advance. So if you do have that opportunity, try meeting people such as:

• The bus driver (if your child takes the bus)
• The lunch staff (if they will be eating at school)
• Student assistants or playground supervisors
• The principal and administrative staff

Many schools host parent open houses or offer tours if you call ahead. If you visit in the summer, before the start of the school year, there are not many people there. It might just be the administrative staff who are there getting ready for the next year. So, if you know in advance which school your child will attend in the spring, you might have the opportunity to meet some of those people before the summer starts. That's something to consider as well.

If possible, arrange a visit earlier in the spring to meet more of the faculty.

Organize key kindergarten contacts before school starts

Save all essential phone numbers in your phone ahead of time. Numbers like:

• The school's main number
• The nurse's office (if applicable)
• Any direct lines to teachers or administrative staff

Having these contacts readily available will help you quickly recognize calls from the school and allow you to reach out if needed.

Have a Backup Transportation Plan

If your child isn’t taking the bus, make sure you have a backup plan for pickup. Life happens: flat tires, unexpected illnesses, or emergencies with other children. Having a trusted alternate person who can pick up your child will give you peace of mind. Please notify the school of any approved individuals who will be picking up your child.

Potential backup options include:

• Grandparents
• Aunts or uncles
• Close friends or neighbors
• Babysitters or caregivers

Having that plan already in place in the back of your mind will help you to go about your day and take some of that pressure off.

Plan for sick days: Parent prep for missed school

You should also have a plan for sick days, whether you are the one who is ill or your child is sick.

When we take our children to kindergarten, that's a time for us moms to perhaps return to the workplace or have other commitments. And if your child is sick and needs to stay home, having an alternate plan in place helps take the pressure off as well.

You know that if something happens and your child stays home from school that day, your day will continue to go smoothly, and you won't have to make calls and cancel this or cancel that.

So, again, having a grandmother, babysitter, or someone else who can pitch in to help with your child if something unexpected happens will be helpful.

Coping with kindergarten: Emotional tips for parents

Stay connected: Small keepsakes to ease separation

Separation can be hard for both you and your child. Just as you might tuck a small note or picture in their lunchbox, consider keeping a small memento for yourself:

• A favorite picture of your child on your phone screen
• A drawing they made for you
• A small toy or object that reminds you of them

We do that for them, but we don't always think about doing it for ourselves, and it can be a great little reminder and give you a little pause to think about your child and hope that they're having a good day at school, and look forward to seeing them again when you pick them up.

Practice short separations before kindergarten starts

If you’ve been a stay-at-home parent and are used to spending most of your day with your child, practice small separations before the first day of kindergarten. Try running errands alone, attending a fitness class, or spending an hour at a coffee shop while your child stays with a trusted caregiver. These small experiences can help both of you adjust to the idea of being apart for longer periods.

Ready for the first day of kindergarten

These are some ideas, and I hope that when that big day comes, you are every bit as prepared as your child is. There will always be some emotions involved, but with the right preparations, you can help make this transition a smooth and positive experience for both of you.

I hope these tips help you feel ready for this next chapter. It’s a big step, but one filled with new adventures for both you and your child. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!