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You have probably been working hard to reassure your child that big school will be exciting and fun.
But you may not feel so confident yourself.
Do not brush these thoughts under the preparing-yourself-for-your-child-starting-school.
Starting school is just as important a change for you as it is for your child.
As you say goodbye on your child’s first day, it may be hard not to shed a tear.
If you do have a cry, try not to let your child see. It may make him anxious that you are sad.
Even distressed children soon settle into school.
Try not to worry if the reality of big school only dawns on your child as you say goodbye.
If you are worried, ask your child’s teacher or teaching assistant about strategies they use to help children settle.
If you work, you could arrange to have the day off.
Perhaps go for a coffee with friends whose children are starting school on the same day.
This will give you all a chance to talk about saying goodbye.
Alternatively, you may find work a welcome distraction, making a landmark day feel normal.
You can rest assured that at school your child will be exploring his independence.
If you want to find out more about his school world, get involved.
Many schools encourage parents to help with reading, cookery or a school trip.
You will, of course, be excited to see your child at the end of his school day, but try not to overwhelm him with questions.
Although you’re desperate to know what’s been going on, try to keep your questions simple.
Ask about who he sat next to at lunch, rather than demanding a run-down of your child’s day.
Try not to worry if your child says “I don’t know”, or I can not remember”.
He is had a lot to take in on his first day.
Even if your child has been going to preschool or nursery, be prepared for your house to feel empty during the longer school hours.
Focus on the extra time you now have.
You may want to look for work, take on more work or retrain.
Perhaps you have a decorating or craft project to which you can now devote more time.
If you have a younger child or children, your house will not feel empty.
But your younger one may miss your older child as much as you do.
Give your younger child or children lots of distractions.
Continue to visit favourite playgroups and parks.
Arrange play dates, maybe with the younger siblings of children who have also just started school.
You may find the focus is more on you now that your younger child has no older sibling to play with. So enjoy this time. preparing-yourself-for-your-child-starting-school”games and pretend play.
Share books and prepare your meals together. Your younger child will soon get used to the new routine of collecting her big sibling from school every day.