Summer has just flown right by in the blink of an eye so it seems. Most of us don’t want to hear it and some of us can’t wait but in a few short weeks we will be sending our children off to school.

Our oldest daughter is going into grade three, she knows that back to school means back to routine. Getting up in the morning, getting ready and catching the bus. This year is going to be totally new for our youngest son though, he is heading for his very first year of school, Junior Kindergarten!

This is a  bitter-sweet time for us, sending our second off to school for the first time. We know what to expect, we’ve been doing the school routine with our oldest for some time now but at the same time this is a huge step – he is not a baby anymore!

I makes you nervous, the world is a big place and there are a lot of kids in these schools. To think your little baby is going off on his or her own for the first time without you there for his or her every need can turn any moms stomach. For those who are sending their little ones off to school for the first time don’t worry, this too shall pass.

Getting the kids involved in the process is a good first step in getting ready for school. Take them along and let them help pick out things like school supplies and school clothes if you can. We have tried to make it an annual routine to shop with our oldest for school clothes, her birthday is also just a few days before school starts so it makes for a special day out!

Even though there still several weeks left before school starts, it might be a good idea to start waking new-school goers up around the time they should be up on a school day (unless they are already early risers) and start the routine, you’ll both be thankful when school officially starts. It sounds easier said than done but like anything, with a little persistence, can be done plus  it’ll help you both feel more prepared.

Most of the time it is us, the parent who are more nervous about our little ones heading off to school than they are. I remember when our oldest took the bus for the first time I was nervous while she had a huge smile on her face.  Take a breath, it’s going to be okay!

If you have a reluctant little one and you are able to, maybe taking them into school by walking them or driving them in and having them take the bus home can help ease their fear of going to school and also help get them used to taking the bus!

Keep in mind this is all a learning process for both you, the parent and your child. It may take a few days or weeks but in time you both will get so used to the school routines it will feel like a second language! Enjoy these first few years of early elementary school, they go by faster than you know it!