8 Mistakes Parents Make On The First Days Of School

The first days of school are a very important transition process for children. And the same goes for parents. It means a change in routine, a new space, new people and, in most cases, new teachers.

However, it is normal for parents to make certain mistakes during the first days of school.  It is also a difficult time for them. After all, their child will fall outside their protection and fall under the responsibility of strangers.

For this reason, it’s very common for them to spend all day wondering what their kids are up to? Did they eat? How do they feel? Do they make friends? This is not so bad unless we are motivated to act and end up doing the wrong thing.

Below, we’re going to look at the most common mistakes parents make on the first days of school:

The most common mistakes parents make on the first days of school

Losing control in front of the child

In many cases, parents tend to express their feelings in front of their children. That is, they burst into tears at the terrible feeling of leaving them alone for the first time. This is a mistake because what they are doing is conveying their fear to the child and predisposing them to the same situation.

Don’t talk to them about the things they will encounter on their first day

Parents certainly won’t be able to guess all the situations their child will face. However, you  can help them understand the things that may happen during their early days so they can get a general idea. This way the child does not feel alone during this transition.

They visit at school during the first days of school

It’s common for parents to get carried away by the temptation to visit their child at school, curious to see how they are doing. However, all you will do is make sure your child remembers how upset they were. They will relive the moment that happened before because what they want is to go with Mom and Dad.

Returning to say goodbye

In many cases, when a child throws a tantrum, the parents come back one more time to say goodbye to them. That’s a big mistake because it just encourages this behavior.

Sneaking out and not saying goodbye

Not saying goodbye is also a mistake; It is very common for parents to ask caregivers to distract the child so they can sneak outside. However, not saying goodbye is a serious mistake because the child may come to believe that their parents have abandoned them. There is no need to put them through that. It’s better to say goodbye with a kiss and a hug. Let them know that you will come back in a few hours for them, that you love them and that everything will be fine.

More mistakes parents make on the first days of school

• Extend the goodbye. The farewell should last a reasonable time. Don’t make it too short, but don’t make it forever either. Parents should stand firm, do as we have recommended and walk away without looking back. You should be able to reassure your child so they can see that it is a normal life process.
• Physical abuse or reprimand. Under no circumstances should you mistreat your child to keep it calm. Such an action, in addition to being child abuse and punishable, will only reinforce your little one’s negative attitude.

• Thinking that the child will adapt on the first day. There are cases where children make great progress on the first day of school. However, it doesn’t happen to every child as there are some who find it much harder to adjust. Therefore, they need the constant support and understanding of their parents.

Conclusion

Parents should remember that their children’s discomfort will normally take some time until they adjust. In other words, you don’t have to worry too much. Children have the help of qualified staff at school to deal with such situations.

It’s important for parents to understand that the first days of school don’t have to be chaotic, and leaving the child there for a few hours isn’t the end of the world either. It is advisable to take it easy and understand that the adjustment of the child is quite a process and requires your full support. As adults, we can understand things better than our children.

Thus, parents should monitor their child’s adjustment process to avoid losing their temper and act as a guide to help them navigate the difficult path that must be taken at this age.