Tips for First-Day-of-School Goodbyes

I saw a post on Facebook today from First 5 San Diego that had good tips for dealing with first-day-of-school goodbyes.  I’ve written before about how we’re making the switch from daycare to preschool in September, and I know others are, too, so here are a few minimize the separation anxiety, tears and tantrums:
1. Get a routine down: You might find it helpful to have a goodbye routine that could include a few minutes of play or reading a short story. Ask the teacher if she is on board with that first.

2. Lingering longer doesn’t help: Don’t linger. When you say goodbye, say it once and mean it. When children see worried or stressed parents lingering at the perimeters of the classroom, they may want to cry and come to your arms.

3. Don’t ask to go: When the time has come to leave your child, don’t ask your child for permission to leave. Tell them you are leaving and go, even though leaving is often harder for parents than for the children.

4. When you go … go: Once you have left, you may hear your child crying behind you. Resist the urge to turn and go back. It’s hard to do, but being able to walk away is probably the most important thing you can do to settle your child. Coming back will prolong the agony and some children never stop crying if they know mom or dad will turn around and come running back.