In just a couple of weeks, I will be using a cookie cutter to make her turkey and cheese sandwich into the shape of a heart. I will set out the dress, the knee highs, the new shoes, and even the matching headband the night before. I will charge the camera battery, and I will check my alarm clock at least twice before going to bed (does anyone besides me still have those nightmares of oversleeping and missing the big exam?!).
Preparation for the first day of school is such a production in the Stewart house, and not just because I'm overly-detailed, obsessive, and want to give June Cleaver a run for her laundry money. Back to school means change and transition, and that has not always been easy for my oldest daughter. She's been sensitive to change, shy, much like...me. My own mother has told the story more than once that I hung out with the adult playground supervisor for the first three months of first grade, instead of playing with the other kids. Yea, my neuroses goes waaaay back, honey. So, preparing my kid for school up until now has been quite involved...
Each summer, we enrolled my daughter in the high-priced camp at her school, so she'd get familiar with the campus. I show her the classroom she'll be in that year, even though it's in complete disarray because the teachers haven't finished decorating. I ask parents of kids in higher grades for their teacher recommendations, and I make a personal teacher request to the administration. They prefer that parents not do this, but I've made the request every year because this is my kid, and her emotional development is as critical as her academic one. If it's possible, we go meet her teacher in advance. If not, we take out her yearbook and I show her the photos of her teacher and the assistants, making sure to emphasize how totally nice and completely fun they look, and surely she is in the BEST class.
We've also had back to school parties for my daughter and her friends. Everyone gets reacquainted after a long summer, they look forward to seeing each other again when school begins, and basically I get another excuse to host a party. They do an activity like decorate cupcakes (hey, even a kids' party should somehow benefit the chocoholic parent), have storytime with a back-to-school book, and play games with grade-relevant questions (e.g., who's the first person that can tell me the names of the planets?!). Of course, school supplies are the prizes (wow, party favors that are actually practical, imagine that).
My ultimate goal to easing the back to school jitters: structure, predictability, and familiarity. In case it's not obvious by now, I'm referring to MY jitters as well! I think it's often harder for US than it is for them. l'll do anything to help her with the transition, hoping to ultimately teach her self-confidence and strength that will prevent the uneasiness in the first place.
When my daughter was entering kindergarten, our favorite book to read before school started was Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee. It made her feel like a big girl. It made me feel less nervous. Below are a few links for other back to school books, for your preschooler to your 6th grader.
Whether your child is entering school for the first time, or moving to the next grade, I wish you BOTH well in the process. Don't worry, she'll be fine. It's you that will have to control the tears until you get back to the car.
FIND RECOMMENDED BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS:
