Hi Reader,

Back-to-school season is here, and if you’re anything like me, it can bring a mix of excitement and nerves, not just for our kids, but for us as parents too.

My oldest is autistic, and transitions have always been a huge challenge for him. Last year, when he started kindergarten, mornings at drop-off were TOUGH. The tears, the clinging, the uncertainty, it broke my heart every time.

Literally, this was me driving home after drop off most mornings (not even joking)

It took nearly half the school year before we finally hit a sweet spot where he started to feel more comfortable walking into class. But we didn’t get there overnight.

(Be sure to read til' the end to snag my favorite back to school books for anxious kiddos)

We started preparing long before school began:

• reading books together
• visiting the school
• meeting staff
• asking questions and making space for his worries.

Outside of school, we prioritized playdates, birthday parties, and going on every field trip possible.

Slowly, drop-off shifted from tears to smiles, and eventually, to real excitement to see his friends.

This year, he walked into first grade so excited to reunite with his classmates. And at the same time, his younger brother started kindergarten.

We took the same approach with him, and while he expressed a few fears, he ended up walking in tear-free and later told us he had a great first day! #parentingwin

---

Here's what I want you to take away from this, mama:

​

It’s OK if your child needs more time to find their rhythm with school. It’s OK if drop-off is messy, emotional, and full of tears for longer than you expected. You are not doing anything wrong.

The beauty is in the process:
​
✨ The process of learning what helps your child feel safe and supported.
✨ The process of building trust and connection through the hard days.
✨ The process of watching them grow, little by little, until the excitement eventually outweighs the fear.

I know this transition isn’t easy, but I promise, you and your child are both growing through it. And that’s something worth celebrating. 💛

With you in this,

P.S. I’ll be sharing some of our favorite back-to-school books below that helped my kids feel prepared. If you’re looking for some tools to ease the transition, these are a great place to start

​

Thanks for reading! If you loved it, tell your friends to subscribe.

My emails often include affiliate links. You can read my full policy here.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​