Kindergarten Here We Come

You’ve got this, and so does your kid.

Well, it’s that time again…back to school.  For our family back to school this year is a milestone moment…KINDERGARTEN!  Yes, I knew it was coming, but man, did it get here fast.  Where did the last five years go? These backpacks and lunchboxes just seem so big for some of these kiddos. And they look so tiny stepping on to these big school buses or walking down the sidewalk alone into that big building. 

Let’s take a moment and just take a deep breath together.  The start of a new school year can be overwhelming and if you’re a first-time kindergarten parent…this is a big deal. A big deal for your child, a big deal for your family, and yes...a big deal for you. There is a mix of excitement, nerves, pride, and even sadness, which is completely normal. Just know you’re not alone in feeling like you’re not quite ready, even if they are.

Here’s a gentle guide and some tips I found helpful for easing into this new school year. I hope this helps you feel a little more grounded as you send your little one off on their next adventure.

It’s Okay to Be Emotional

I have known since the moment I found out I was pregnant that there would be a first day of Kindergarten. What I didn't know was how hard this transition can be as a parent. As a child, I loved Kindergarten and recall being very excited and happy to go. But as a parent, this just hits different. I have been pretty vocal to anyone who will listen that I am filled with all the emotions. I am excited that he is ready both academically and socially, but sending him off to a new school with new people all day, every day, is nerve-racking to me.

This summer, I have experienced the full spectrum of emotions and concerns, probably some valid and some not-so-valid.  One of the best pieces of advice anyone has given me: it is ok to be emotional! So if you are happy, be happy; if you are sad, be sad; there is no right or wrong here. It is a new chapter for your child and, honestly, you too. So feel the emotions, take a deep breath, and if you need to have a good cry after drop off, do it! By acknowledging the feelings and honoring them, you will be able to work through them.

To add to my first day jitters, I also have a Kindergartner not excited to start Kindergarten. We have been trying to hype it up all summer. It comes down to fear of the unknown, having to do something new, and we all get a little nervous doing that. So we, as parents, are making sure that we take every opportunity given to go to the school and familiarize ourselves with the building and the staff. Giving our son familiar faces to see on that first day, and a place he hopefully remembers his way around a little bit. We also encourage him to feel his feelings and talk about them with us.

On that first day, I will put on my brave face, send him to school with all the positive vibes and love, and then probably cry the whole way home 😭. This is your baby, whom you have loved, nurtured, and taken care of, now being sent off into the world to apply all the things they have learned in the last five years. They can do this, and you can too!  

Trust That They’re Ready

This might be one of the hardest for me. Even if they still ask for help putting on socks or suddenly forget how to open a lunchbox, they are more capable than they let on. We spend so much time with our children, it is easy to forget just how capable they are and what all they actually know how to do.

As parents, we get wrapped up in "let me do that for you" or "let me help" because we are in a hurry or we don't want to deal with the possible outcomes of apple juice all over the counter. When, actually, those times we aren't around our kids, they rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done because they have the opportunity to. Kids are like sponges, and whether you realize it or not, they are learning from us, their peers, and their surroundings every day, all day. We aren't sending them out alone; they have their teachers, who are experts at guiding this transition, and your child will grow in ways that surprise you.

Establish a Simple Routine Early

This one might be my favorite. One of the first things we did when we came home from the hospital was establish a routine for whatever we needed to do. Consistency, routine, and structure help with expectations and can reduce stress for everyone. As our son has grown and our day-to-day has evolved, our routines have been pretty consistent. For example, bedtimes may change, but the bedtime routine has not; pj's, teeth, story, sleep. So, with a big milestone change coming up, we as a family set our routines and started practicing them this summer. Getting not only our son into a predictable rhythm, but everyone in the house.

Establishing a routine, though, goes beyond just the things you do at home. You can also find out what the routine will be like for the school day. When do they have specials, when is lunch, do they get a snack, when is recess, etc. Walk your child through this schedule many times so they know what to expect. If your child has been a stay-at-home kid, one area that might be beneficial to work on is mealtime. If lunch is going to be at 11 every day, then you can start practicing having lunch at 11 and only having lunch for the allotted time school will give them. Same thing with snack time. It may seem small to us, but knowing what to expect provides a sense of control and calm in what may seem like a very overwhelming time.

You Won't Know Everything...Give Yourself Some Grace

Maybe you are a seasoned pro or just starting this journey for the first time.  Chances are, there will be something you do not know.  If you’re unsure about drop-off rules, snacks, or supplies, ask. No one expects you to have it all figured out. It takes a village, and you should use your village. This is also an opportunity to expand your village.  Get to know your teachers, staff, administrators, and other class parents; this will provide you with valuable resources to lean on. You don’t know what you don’t know.  This is one more thing we will figure out as we go.  As parents, this is our journey too.  You are not alone!

To add on to the unknown, there will also be days when it just feels like nothing is going right. You might have forgotten lunch on the counter, mismatched socks, or last-minute tears (from either of you). That’s okay. You have to keep going. Take a breath, reset, and as I tell my son "work the problem". Yes, you forgot the packed lunch, but school serves lunch. Is that an option? Also, while inconvenient, can you go home, grab it, and drop it off at school before lunchtime? Most school day problems are fixable.  Give yourself some grace, you’re doing your best, and that’s exactly what your child needs.

Celebrate the Small Wins

I love this tip. First day jitters turned into first day awesomeness? At pickup that first day, celebrate making it through the first day. It may sound ridiculous, but they did it, and you did it. You entered into a new chapter and got the scariest part out of the way. Bonus points if they get in the car and talk about something they did that day. When their first artwork gets sent home, treat it like a masterpiece; display it proudly! Making it through the first week, celebrate it! Good note from the teacher, celebrate it! Tell them how proud you are and how brave they are. All of these moments matter. You're building memories, routines, and confidence together.

Here we go...

You’re not just sending your child to school; you’re launching a curious, capable, creative human into a whole new world. That’s powerful. And hard. And amazing. But you can do this. There will be hard days, but you are still showing up being the best parent you can for your kindergartener.

Have a kindergarten tip or first-day story to share? Drop it in the comments! Let’s support each other through this exciting, nerve-wracking, beautiful milestone. Don't forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future content!