The first day of school - be it playgroup, pre-school or real 'big kid' school... it's always a day full of mixed emotions for both mummy and child.
On the one hand, it's a huge milestone. Your baby is not a baby anymore and is about to take a huge step away from the safe confines of your home, your watchful eyes and your caring arms, into the 'real world'.
You might be looking forward to some time alone, finally. Looking forward to seeing your little one learn new things, make new friends and experience society.
Your child too might be eager to be a big boy or girl, put on that backpack and set off on a new adventure.
But then, there are also very real, very scary first day of school fears. The fear of the unknown (for both of you), the anxiety, the sadness...
Sad for you because this here is another indicator that time is passing by fast (too fast). No more long lazy lie-ins on weekdays cuddling a soft squishy baby smelling of sleep and milk. Sad because the house is going to be terribly quiet for at least a few hours, even though you spend most of your time when baby is around wishing for some peace and quiet.
For your child too, there will be sadness involved, especially as you leave him for the first time at the doors of a place that is not his home. Tears, for both of you.
How can you make this better for both of you? How to ease those first day of school fears?
One mummy has a lovely way of helping both you and your little one get through the longest day in the world - the first day of school.
In a post, UK mum Louise Mallet explains:
So my littlest baby had his first all dayer at school today , having been in for a couple of morning settling in sessions. I could tell he was feeling a little emotional this morning so we had a chat and came up with the idea of having a heart each and if we pressed it it sent a hug to the other one (he said he cried as he missed me on his first half day last week) it totally worked! I drew a heart on both our hands and gave him a spare one on his arm in case the one on his hand wore off , we "charged " them by holding hands on the way to school and when I picked it up I said did you get my hugs and he happily said yep! He also said "I pressed it for a long time mummy but I didn't cry " so I said ahhhh that will be that big squeeze I get , did you get my big squeeze back ? " and he said yep ! Bless him , here's to many more happy days at school while I sit at home with the dog and cry that all my babies are at school now.
We just love her idea and we are sure you will too! Do try it out and let us know if it works.