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To say I am petrified about the whole thing is an understatement.
Our little miss has always been a timid soul and while I don't want to label her there is no denying that she is shyer than most kids.
This week little miss and I had a play date at the park with a mothers group friend, who will attend the same school next year. My little miss was hesitant to join in and play with the kids that she didn't know, preferring to stay by my side, attached to my leg.
I could feel the anxiety race through me. If she was like this when I was around, how was she going to be at school? I couldn't sleep while my brain worried about it.
I was an anxious, shy child. I remember too well how I didn't want to go to school. How mean some of the people were that were supposedly my friends and how I didn't have the confidence to say "GET F***ED". It was awful. I don't want that for our little miss.
Instead of letting my anxiety explode and become our little miss' anxiety, I am taking action to make the transition to school as smooth as I can for her. I am going to do everything to make sure our little miss is ready for "big school". Making sure she is as confident and ready to go as every other kid that will walk through those gates on the first day.
Currently my plan looks like this....
- Play dates with other little people who will be attending the same school to meet more people and gain confidence socially.
- Walking through the school to become accustomed to the size and environment.
- Packing a lunch box for the day to get used to having to manage her own food.
Closer to the end of the year we will also practice drop-offs and pick-ups and talk to her teacher to get to know him/her too.
I also have a kit of documentation and books I am hoping will give me some insight.....
- Raising Girls by Steve Biddulph
- Your child's first year at school: Getting off to a good start
- Cool Little Kids, Anxiety Prevention Program Parent's Manual from Macquarie University
- Kids Matter Transition to school: Parent Initiative
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Setting the scene
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Getting Ready
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Settling In
