First Day of School Roller-Coaster Ride.

Nobody Said Parenting Was Going To Be Easy.

How did this happen?

How is my daughter going to kindergarten?! There is NO WAY that just happened!

I mean she was just spitting up in my arms a month ago. I was lying on the floor holder her hand as she transitioned into a “Big Girl” bed. We were singing “Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up” last week!

Aaaaaaauuuuuggghhhhh!

But seriously, it is inevitable that our kids take that first BIG LEAP into the next chapter of their lives.

Thankfully we are here to both enjoy it & wrestle our way through it.

Here are a few ways to help make this transition … just a wee bit easier.

Keep in mind that we live in a COVID-19 world right now…..DAMNIT!

1) Go over the routine: Most days will have close to the same routines. Whether you are In-Person, Hybrid or Remote. You GOTTA get into a routine. We as humans, crave routine. Talk about the morning routine before getting picked up by the bus. Go over the routines of the day at school. Talk about the routine on “Non-in-person” days. Get your kiddos to know & understand the importance of routine.

2) Keep relationships STRONG: My daughter has a “Super-Bestie”. Unfortunately, she is NOT going to school on the same day as my daughter. Nor, is she in the same class. But with today’s technology, my daughter can Facetime her at the end of the day. In fact, my daughter left her Best Friend a video message letting her know it was “okay to be scared and that she was going to do great!”

Make sure you leave enough time for homework, extracurriculars & family time.

Be PATIENT with your kids. Give them time to work things through.

3) Ask better questions: Don’t ask general open questions. Think about it. If I were to ask you, “How was your day?” How would you respond? “Uhm, fine I guess.” Instead ask better questions, ones they can give specific answers to. “Who did you play with today?” “What did Sara wear to school today?” “Who did you sit next to at lunch?” You will get a much better idea of how their day went if you ask the right questions.

4) Be positive: If you are a softy like me, you’re dying on the inside as your son or daughter’s eyes well up with tears as the bus approaches. But, it’s up to YOU to put on the positive “You can do this” face. Kids will reflect your attitude. If you can get mom on the same page…things should be golden.

5) BE PATIENT: This is the most important one. We forget what it was like to be a kid. We forget what all of these “Firsts” are like. We forget how scary a new school, a new classroom, making new friends can be. WE have to be patient with our kids. Help them navigate these uncharted waters. Give them time to work things through, to talk about what’s on their mind, to let out the fear and frustration (here’s a tip: with boys, do something physical with them. Have a catch with them. Then maybe…just maybe…they will open up)

This is a wonderful, stressful, humbling time.

Enjoy it.