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Talk About It
My son and I - and the whole family - talked frequently throughout the summer about the first day of school. We talked about what he would get to do at school and what he might learn about. We also talked about his fears and anxieties. Acknowledging that it was alright for him to feel nervous and excited at the same time really helped.
Pick Out Awesome School Supplies (on a budget)
A Que Powerbag would have been an awesome pick for a new backpack. Can you imagine? My son would have been the only preschooler with Bluetooth. (Excuse me while I gag). In all seriousness, I was NOT about to spend $80.00 on a new back pack for a five year old.
But, I also wanted my son to express himself when choosing his school supplies. This meant that when he insisted on the oversized Hamburger Backpack (only $9.99 at Walmart!!!), I did not offer my unsolicited opinion. If the Hamburger Backpack made him feel more excited and at ease about starting school then by all means, we were bringing that dang backpack home! (Unless it would have been priced at $80.00. Then the Hamburger Backpack would have been promptly returned to the rack.)
I continued the "you-pick-it-as-long-as-its-not-expensive" trend throughout the school supply shopping process. I did not comment on any clothing that he chose (as long as it was appropriate for school), nor did I give my opinion on the color or brand of supplies that he chose. Removing my fears or insecurities about how others *might* perceive him helped to project a positive thought process for my son.
Make the Night Before the First Day Special
Similar to Christmas or Hanukkah or a birthday I made an extra effort to make the night before the first day of school special for my son. We had "Alphabet Soup" for dinner (my husband's homemade chicken soup with alphabet shaped noodles), and I told my son it would get his brain ready to learn at school. We also took a fun night-before-school photo. While my son slept, I decorated the family room with crepe paper to create and excited, celebratory mood the next day. I tried to keep the evening as positive and peaceful as possible for my son. We also established our new routine of laying out clothes and going to bed early.
The First Day of School (!!!)
I continued the "you-pick-it-as-long-as-its-not-expensive" trend throughout the school supply shopping process. I did not comment on any clothing that he chose (as long as it was appropriate for school), nor did I give my opinion on the color or brand of supplies that he chose. Removing my fears or insecurities about how others *might* perceive him helped to project a positive thought process for my son.
Make the Night Before the First Day Special
Similar to Christmas or Hanukkah or a birthday I made an extra effort to make the night before the first day of school special for my son. We had "Alphabet Soup" for dinner (my husband's homemade chicken soup with alphabet shaped noodles), and I told my son it would get his brain ready to learn at school. We also took a fun night-before-school photo. While my son slept, I decorated the family room with crepe paper to create and excited, celebratory mood the next day. I tried to keep the evening as positive and peaceful as possible for my son. We also established our new routine of laying out clothes and going to bed early.
The First Day of School (!!!)
Needless to say, I could not sleep the night before school started. I was so excited (and truth be told, nervous) for my son: would he like the children in his class? would he have a nice teacher? would he cry? Once my son awoke, we went to the kitchen to try out our AMAZING new Olaf waffle maker.
After breakfast, we took our obligatory First-Day-of-School photos, and I kept my iPhone in my pocket so that I could whip it out any time I had the urge to play paparazzi. We drove to the school and talked about how much fun my son was going to have. We parked and walked in (I love walking my son into his class - it gives him security and, quite frankly, gives me peace, too).
My son was a little unsure at first, but once he put his things down and looked around, he was ready to fly solo. My son did not cry at all, but I held back tears as I hugged him and kissed him and coaxed my younger son out of the classroom. I drove to a gas station where I cried to my mom in the parking lot. And my younger son sensed my sadness and suggested that we go to the car wash to cheer up. (Well, it was more like "Mommy sad go carrrrrr wash be happy"). And we laughed the entire car wash. And before we knew it, it was time to go pick up my older son and hear all about his wonderful day at school.
Continuing the Excitement
I am so pleased that every morning this week my older son has told me how excited he is to go back to school. We talk about what he learned every day, and we practice what he learned, too. Keeping him excited will keep him engaged, and it is my goal to help him stay excited about school until he graduates from college. And once he graduates from college, he can start dating. So, little girl that plays tag with my son on the playground at school, you're super adorable but, you'll have to wait a couple of decades before you can date my son. #SorryNotSorry.
These Olaf waffles eased some fears and definitely produced some smiles. They also got my son to eat breakfast (SCORE!).
After breakfast, we took our obligatory First-Day-of-School photos, and I kept my iPhone in my pocket so that I could whip it out any time I had the urge to play paparazzi. We drove to the school and talked about how much fun my son was going to have. We parked and walked in (I love walking my son into his class - it gives him security and, quite frankly, gives me peace, too).
My son was a little unsure at first, but once he put his things down and looked around, he was ready to fly solo. My son did not cry at all, but I held back tears as I hugged him and kissed him and coaxed my younger son out of the classroom. I drove to a gas station where I cried to my mom in the parking lot. And my younger son sensed my sadness and suggested that we go to the car wash to cheer up. (Well, it was more like "Mommy sad go carrrrrr wash be happy"). And we laughed the entire car wash. And before we knew it, it was time to go pick up my older son and hear all about his wonderful day at school.
Continuing the Excitement
I am so pleased that every morning this week my older son has told me how excited he is to go back to school. We talk about what he learned every day, and we practice what he learned, too. Keeping him excited will keep him engaged, and it is my goal to help him stay excited about school until he graduates from college. And once he graduates from college, he can start dating. So, little girl that plays tag with my son on the playground at school, you're super adorable but, you'll have to wait a couple of decades before you can date my son. #SorryNotSorry.
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