09/01/2026
Here is what Acacia suggests one can do as a parent to set a tone of trust in your child’s ability to make the transition to school confidently:
~ Think of this transition (or any) as a bridge. A bridge needs to have solid footing, which we create at home with a consistent and orderly rhythm to our mornings and order to how we make the transition.
~There are often signs, be it a change in landscape or an actual signpost, that indicate there is a bridge up ahead. This rhythm also quietly continues to cue your child into the “bridge” up ahead to school.
~Include a moment when you “land” together to connect, filling your child’s cup with some quality presence.
~Starting at the car, walk side by side with your child, rather than carry them in. Make sure they have a bag that’s easy for them to carry so they can easily be responsible for their own belongings. This gesture alone communicates the trust you hold that they are already rising to the occasion.
~Make your good-bye “short and sweet,” Some parents develop a little “ritual” like a kiss on the palm of their child’s hand, so they can close it up and tuck it in their pocket to save it, and vice versa.
~Save conversations with the teacher about hard mornings for time away from your child, instead stealing a couple of moments in the car to send a text, or writing a note. This way the tone of the transition can remain as positive as possible.
Read Acacia's full post for parents and teachers on Easing Back into the School Year
at lifewaysnorthamerica.org/post/easing-back-into-the-school-year
And for a deep dive on creating nurturing transitions throughout the day, join us next Thursday September 10, for our $15 LifeWays For All webinar! Register at lifewaysnorthamerica.org/webinars
