For parents, and especially mothers, the first day of school can be a stressful event. Indeed, many adults remember how their school days were. The truth is that school is rarely a comfortable period. You found yourself at first alone in a place you didn’t know with people you had never met before, which is an unpleasant experience in its own right. While exams might not be as stressful as making a living, when you’re a child, they are synonymous with high pressure and cold sweat! And finally, the media paint a rather worrying image of schools, a place where your child can get in contact with threatening behaviours and people. In short, it’s natural to be nervous when your child first goes to school. But there are ways to handle your fears.
You can teach your child to make friends
I’m going to miss out so much
When you have a baby, it can be challenging to make your parental duties fit into your life. You are a woman and a partner. Becoming a mother means that you need to dedicate time to your child on top of your other duties and interests. At first, it’s complicated as you’ll feel guilty for thinking of yourself instead of your child. But then you’ll get to adjust to your new life and your baby, and you might even find a balance between me-time and baby-time. Until the first day of school. The day that takes your child away from you. Once you’ve acclimated to your role as a mum, it can be difficult to let go of your child without fearing missing out. The truth is, you will miss out. They will continue to learn without you. But they’ll come back to you every day.
Is he going to be safe when I’m not around?
Are schools a safe place? The answer is yes. Teachers and assistants are trained to look after children and keep them safe, whether they’re in a classroom or out on a school trip. You can never eliminate risks, but it’s fair to say that all schools will put your child’s safety as a top priority. You can rely on others to protect your child. More importantly, you can do your part too, by teaching them the basic rules of social interactions and safety.
What if he is a slow learner?
Every parent wants the best for their child. So when the child is a slow learner, parents are worried that he might be incompetent. In reality, slow learners are children who hit their developmental markers at a slower rate than other children. It would be a mistake to assume your child is dumb. Let him develop at his own pace and praise him along the way. Remember that failure is not a bad thing as long as you encourage him to try again.
Will he make friends?
Making friends isn’t a natural event. It is a social skill that children need to develop. While some are good at building connections, others can feel isolated. As a parent, you can help your child to understand social interactions and be more confident at making friends.
School-related worries are ok. Give yourself the right to be worried about your child. But you also need to be able to face your fears and find appropriate solutions to tackle more situations.
