First Day of Kindergarten Survival Tips for Parents

The first day of Kindergarten is a milestone for parents and children alike. Transitioning from preschool to elementary school is a new chapter for the entire family. Here are a my First Day of Kindergarten Survival Tips for parents.

When I first wrote this post in 2019, Annabelle was a few days shy of her first day of Kindergarten. Brandon and I were having a hard time holding back the emotions that come along with sending your first born off into the big world. I wrote the post again right as Ailey was going to enter Kindergarten and the same anxious and sad feelings were creeping into my heart. To help cope, I re-read my tips for the first day of Kindergarten to prepare for the big day!

First Day of Kindergarten Survival Tips for Parents

Before I introduce any survival tips for the first day of Kindergarten, give yourself a hug. Give your spouse a hug. Then pat yourselves on the back and say, “We are great parents.” The official entrance to elementary school is a BIG deal! All parents should feel pride and joy for getting their little ones safely to this milestone!

Remember: Anticipation and the unknown are two of the worst sources for anxiety. If this is your first ‘first day of Kindergarten’ it is no wonder you feel so nervous and sad! The feelings are normal – and will go away once it is all over. I promise!

Drop off quickly.

One of the most important first day of kindergarten survival tips for parents is to avoid lingering at the school. Just like ripping off a bandaid, dropping off quickly brings on the least amount of pain. The more time you spend with your child outside of the school or in her classroom, the more time you will have to be sentimental.

Give yourself some grace – it’s okay to cry.

Crying is natural, especially when you’re a Mom watching your child hit a new milestone. It’s hard to let go of your first born (or any child) to send them off into the world. Many parents will cry before, during, and after drop off on the first day of Kindergarten, just as you will when she goes off to college someday.

Meet up with other Kindergarten parents.

One of the most common tips from my followers for surviving the first day of school is to meet up with other parents after drop off. There is strength in numbers, especially when everyone is feeling the same melancholy sadness.

Find more Kindergarten tips here.

Write down your feelings.

Writing is therapeutic when you’re overcome with mixed emotions. The first day of school makes me sad, excited, anxious and happy all at once. I found an empty journal to start recording my feelings about motherhood in on a personal level. I also wrote my daughter a letter for her first day of school! Jot down some thoughts on a piece of paper and put them in your child’s baby book. Or burn it. Just put pen to paper and release what’s inside.

Do something to distract you.

The final survival tip for the first day of Kindergarten is to keep busy until your child comes home. Many parents go to work, but some may be home with a younger sibling (or even home alone). If you can, go to your favorite coffee shop for a post drop-off treat or take a power walk to boost your endorphins. Where ever you go after school drop off, make sure to do something to distract you from wondering how your child is doing at school.

Remember This: We Have All Done It

One of the best tips I can give parents who are sad or scared about sending their child to Kindergarten is to remember we have all done it too. Kindergarten is the first step on a long (but seemingly short) staircase to bigger and better things. Most children flourish in elementary school – from the routines to the enrichment to the education and friendships just waiting to be made. All parents survive the first day of Kindergarten and you will too!