Tips on handling the first day of school for separated parents

The first day of school should be memorable for a child but not for the wrong reasons. A little planning beforehand will mean it can go smoothly and not end in tears. Here’s some tips to help things go smoothly:

1. If both parents are meeting at school/ kindergarten then agree on a time and place - and stick to it.

2. Agree that the only things you will discuss are how wonderful your child is and how special it is that they are beginning school - nothing else is discussed.

3. Share the photos - children love to see pictures of themselves particularly if their friends are there too.

4. Children may be very stressed about going to school and they do not need the added layer of their parents - if it is not possible to meet at the school together then perhaps agree that one parent deliver and the other collect at the end of the day.

5. If it is not possible for one parent to attend, then sending a photograph from that morning to the other parent can be good for them and again sends a strong message to your child about the nature of the relationship between their parents.

Remember it is their day - don't stuff it up!