A few things not to do on the first day of school

The first day of school can be an all-around emotional rollercoaster for all involved. It can be exciting, scary, worrisome, etc. Kids are worried/excited about the changes they’re facing and parents are right there with them in that worry and excitement. There’s always a drive to make that first day special but in all the rush of emotions, we sometimes forget to avoid or watch out for certain aspects of the first day of school. Here are a few things NOT to do on the first day of school.

Things not to do on the first day of school

Don’t Just Wing It – The first day of school is important in more ways than one and needs to be full of certainty and assuredness, especially for the kids. Have a plan to get the school year started off right so they feel confident walking in on the first day; it will shape the way the rest of the year is going to go.

Don’t Dress Down – Starting a new grade means there’s going to be new people to meet, teachers to get used to, etc. Make sure your kids are wearing their new favorite outfit to feel confident. A good outfit does wonders on creating an overall good attitude. They have one chance to make a good first impression.

Don’t Ignore the Little Things – If little Timmy is having a rough time on the morning of the first day of school, don’t rush him or get impatient with him. It’s a sign that he’s stressed or worried just like most kids. Don’t ignore this. Our children need to know that no matter what, a parent has their back even if they’re being cryptic about it and not coming right out and saying it. Often times, the most important observances come in the little things, so set a precedent for the rest of the year, this includes bad behavior as well.

Don’t Skip Breakfast – Breakfast is just as important as everyone says it is. Parents AND kids need to have plenty of energy to burn. Not to mention, a good meal to start the day ultimately can lead to your attitude, demeanor, clear brain function, etc. A start to any good day is a solid breakfast so don’t skip it.

Don’t Drop Off Your Child and Leave – If you drive your child to school, don’t just have them hop out of the car as you drive off. The first day of school can be overwhelming, make sure their needs are met and they’re secure/safe walking in and getting settled.

Don’t Forget to Remind Your Kids to Be Themselves – It can be hard to not want to try and impress new people or even the people we’re used to in school. I remember back in the day what it was like to want to be the cool kid. Remind your kids they’re awesome the way they are. If they try too hard to be “cool” it will show. They just need to be themselves which will ultimately feed their confidence throughout the year if they’re not struggling to be someone they’re not.

Overall, children learn from their parents. If you’re talking negatively about the first day of school or start freaking out, they will pick up on that. Remember to be the example and the kids will follow suit, make the first day of school the best memories for years to come. If you have an upcoming middle school student make sure you read my post on how to tackle middle school this year.