Heading back to school after the long summer holidays can be an emotional rollercoaster for everyone in the house. From giddy excitement to last-minute nerves, both parents and kids tend to cycle through a familiar run of feelings in the run-up to the first day back.
When you think about your child’s first day of school, it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. Kids — and honestly, parents too — often swing back and forth between denial that summer is really over and gradual acceptance that the new school year is here.
Between wrapping up summer activities, sorting uniforms, and getting school supplies together, the big day has a way of arriving before anyone feels quite ready for it.
You may also enjoy: So Your Little One Is Starting School? Are They (and You) Ready?
Back to School Emotions Infographic
This infographic lays out the stages that a child and a parent typically move through as the first day of school gets closer. Both go through a real range of emotions during this period — though often, by the end of it, it’s the parents who find themselves wishing summer had lasted just a little longer.
Where are you — and your child — in the process right now?
Getting Through Each Stage Together
However you and your child are feeling right now, know that it’s temporary and completely normal. A few things that help most families move through these stages a bit more smoothly:
- Talk about it openly. Let your child name what they’re feeling, whether that’s excitement, nerves, or a mix of both.
- Keep routines gentle in the run-up. Easing bedtimes and mornings back into a school rhythm a few days beforehand softens the shock of the first day.
- Share your own feelings honestly, but keep it light. Kids pick up on parental stress, so a calm, upbeat tone from you goes a long way.
- Celebrate the small wins. A finished first week, a new friend made, a favourite subject discovered — these moments help everyone settle into the new stage of acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for kids to feel anxious before the first day back?
Yes. A little nervousness before a new school year is completely normal, even for children who are generally confident. It usually settles within the first week or two once routines and friendships find their feet again.
How can parents cope with their own back-to-school emotions?
Give yourself permission to feel mixed emotions too. Many parents feel relief, sadness, and worry all at once. Talking to other parents, keeping the morning routine simple, and focusing on one day at a time can help.
What can I do to help my child feel more confident?
Familiarise them with what to expect — talk through the school routine, lay out uniforms together, and if possible, do a practice run of the school walk or drop-off beforehand. Confidence often comes from feeling prepared.
When should I start preparing my child for the new school year?
Starting the conversation a week or two before term begins tends to work well for most families — enough time to ease routines back in without dragging out the anticipation too long.
Related Reads
- So Your Little One Is Starting School? Are They (and You) Ready?
- First Day at School – A Poem for Parents
If back to school prep is on your mind, take a browse through our other back-to-school ideas and tips — it’s worth bookmarking this one to come back to as the new term approaches.
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Have your say! What stage are you at with back to school emotions right now? Let us know in the comments below.
