Guest Author - Susan Thompson

I know summer just started, but if you are sending your child to pre-school or kindergarten this year the subject of school has probably been on your mind for some time. Here are some hints and helps to get you and them through the first day.

Getting Ready

Going to school is a big deal for most kids. Some kids go off on their merry way without a problem, others go kicking and screaming. My friend thought her daughter would just get on the bus and that would be that. She was that kind of kid. Well the second her parents started walking her towards the door of the bus she lost it! Her sister actually had to hold her in the seat. While that was an extreme situation, it probably could have been avoided. Kids have a fear of the unknown (actually most adults I know do too). Make sure you tell your child basically what to expect and that you will be outside or at the bus stop after school (whatever the case may be). Explain whether they will be having a snack or lunch at school and the basics of what their day will consist of. Assure them that they will be fine and that you can’t wait to hear about their day.

Take Them Shopping

For pre-school all they should require is a back pack or something to hold their papers and maybe a lunch box for snacks if snacks are not provided by the school. If you want you can get them pencils and crayons, but that is usually not necessary

The kindergarten crowd will need a back pack, a lunch box, and probably some sort of pencil or crayon box. If your school has full day kindergarten, there is usually rest time which would require something to lie on. They sell mats now which are great they clean easily and most teachers will store them in the classroom.

Clothing

Usually two or three new outfits, new socks and underwear, and a new pair of sneakers are plenty to get them started. I have found that the first few weeks of school it is usually warm enough that the kids can still wear the clothes they wore during summer. After that the retailers run bigger sales on jeans and warmer clothing.

Something for Mom

Sending a child off to school for the first time (whether it is your first child or your last) is no doubt stressful for mom. So plan something nice for yourself. If you work, take the day off and have coffee with friends, get a massage or pedicure, or just sit in the sun and read with your favorite food and drink. Please, for heaven’s sake, don’t watch movies of when your child was a baby and no cleaning closets!!

If you have some back to school ideas, please email me and share them.