It is back to school time in our neck of the woods.  Over the next week or so kids will be waking up early, getting dressed in that cool new back to school outfit, getting their backpack ready and heading out the door to board the bus for their first day of school.  It is both a very exciting time and a very nerve-wracking time.  I can remember being filled with first day of school jitters during the days leading up to the start of school.  The first day of school means big changes.  Meeting a new teacher, new classmates, figure out what this year brings in terms of knowledge, getting used to a new routine, it is all enough to make our kiddos feel very nervous, and us parents too.

There are several things you can do to help ease your child’s back to school jitters and nerves.  You won’t be able to alleviate them entirely, nerves are part and parcel of going back to school, but you can help ease their minds a little and make them feel not so alone.

• Acknowledge your child’s fears and give your child a chance to talk about what is making him nervous.
• If your school has an open house before the school year starts be sure to attend.  Meeting her new teacher, seeing what her class room will look like and walking the halls of the school will all help alleviate some of her worry.
• Accentuate the positives. Talk about your child teacher, the school bus, and school in general in a positive manner.
• Bring your child along when picking out school supplies and let them help decide which ones to go with.  They will be more excited if they know school will mean they get to use that cool new backpack they helped pick out.
• Buy a few “back to school” books to read with your child.  If their favorite character has one pick it up to help show your child that going back to school is fun, even for (insert favorite character).
• Buy your child a special going back to school outfit.  Having a special new outfit to wear on the first day of school will help make your child feel special and help get them excited about the first day.
• If you are packing a lunch for your child include some of their favorite lunch foods and a special note to remind them that you are thinking about them and hoping they are having a wonderful first day of school.
• On the first day of school make the day all about your child(ern) cook everyone’s favorites for breakfast, make a big deal about taking first day of school photos and plan a special dinner of everyone’s favorites.

Usually after the first few days your child’s nerves will calm down and their fears about starting school will be gone.  Just be sure to continue to give them a chance to talk about their day, their fears, their ups and downs at the end of every school day.

What do you do for your kids to make them feel special on their first day of school?  What do remember from your childhood about your own first day of school jitters?