How to survive your child's first day at school
This Thursday, the third-in-line to the British throne will do something that, on the surface, seems shockingly ordinary: he will start school. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will - like hundreds of thousands of other parents across Britain - wave Prince George off as he trots away from a world of royal palaces, pageants, and photographers, and into a world of classrooms, times-tables, and playground breaks.
Releasing your child on their first day on schools can be a gruelling experience: you have raised them through four tiring years years, only to see them taken into the hands of unfamiliar teachers. If you are in this position next week, here are some tips to make your child’s first day slightly less difficult.
Sort the uniform now
It’s your child first week. They rock home and proudly announce that ‘We have PE tomorrow!’. To you, this means only one thing: you’ve forgotten to get their PE kit. Don’t let this be you. Don’t forget to order satchels, school bags, and name tags well ahead of time to avoid disappointment. If your child needs new shoes, bear in mind that most schools (if they do not already have a set school shoe) will require sensible colours such as navy blue, brown or black, and practical styles such as classic loafers for the boys or a Mary Jane for the girls. Check the school calendar for any timetabled sports activities so you can also shop for the appropriate plimsolls and gym shoes. Before you head to the shops, spend a day sorting out old, worn-out or outgrown items and make a clear and concise list of what you really need.
Practice the school run in advance
If your child is starting secondary school, it could well be the first time they’ve used public transport - or walked a long distance - by themselves. Finding their own way on the bus can me more daunting for many children than actually starting school, so it’s a good idea to have a practice run with them in advance. If you need to rely on driving your kids, make sure it’s an appropriate time of day, so you can factor in any traffic delays. If possible, arrange a regular ‘buddy’ system with a friend for any days you cannot drop off or collect them. This will save you having to make a last-minute call to the friend’s parent the night before.
Stock up on healthy snacks
Prepare healthy lunches and breaktime snacks - your child will probably need them. Add a fun lunch box to your back-to-school shopping list and write your child’s name clearly on the bottom and the inside of the lid to prevent either getting lost.
Don’t linger - just leave
So it’s the first day, and your little son or daughter has finally made it through the school’s gilded gates. It’s very tempting to linger and watch your child settle in, but as almost every childcare expert in the world will tell you, this is a bad idea. The quicker you leave, the easier it will all be - many will stop crying immediately once their parents are out of eyesight, as Purnima Tanuku, of the National Day Nurseries Association, told the website Made for Mums. Some schools even invite parents to watch their child settle in on CCTV, to show how quickly they become comfortable.
Savour your freedom
We don’t often appreciate it, but it’s a wondrous thing: we live in a country where highly-trained professionals will take our children off our hands for some six hours each day. So make use of it: if you’re working, then appreciate your freedom from having to constantly worry about daytime childcare. If you’re not working, then take yourself off to a park and read a book. Take up a hobby. This is your time now.
