When the time comes to send our little ones back to school, or even into school for the first time, there’s always a range of emotions. The summer holidays always flies by so quickly, and despite my grumbles about the noise and mess and the chaos of three boys running around like whirlwinds of energy, I will miss having them around the home each day. This year, my youngest is joining his brothers at full time school so it’s definitely going to feel quiet here during the week.
After a fun summer, the older boys are starting to look forward to going back and seeing their friends. They can’t wait to catch up with what everyone has been doing and share their own summer news.
My youngest is a little more anxious, which is to be expected starting a new school – but he has always been the one that’s reluctant to leave mum at drop off, whether at nursery and playgroup, even though he has a great time once he’s settled in!
Kleenex® surveyed mums and children going back to school, to see how the nation is feeling and found that 63% of mums are facing a roller coaster of emotions at this time, with 34% feeling angst at the thought of missing their children.
Luckily, 56% of children aged between 6 and 16, described themselves as happy or excited to be going back to school with seeing friends after the long summer break the biggest reason for this. Seemingly unfazed by the changes, a third admitted that the new school term did not even feature on their radar until the week before they were due to go back. I think this is the case for my boys too, especially with travelling for a last minute summer break over the bank holiday which left only a few days to wind down ready for the new term.
While the thought of the new school term may be exciting for many, first day blues are still a real problem for around 29% of children. Faced with an array of unexpected emotions that the first day back can bring, over half of parents admitted to sharing a keepsake with their little ones to provide them with a source of comfort. Keepsakes that offered practical reassurance were often parents’ first choice, with men more likely than women to give their children a keepsake in preparation for the first day back.
Emma Kenny says: “A child returning to, or starting school for the first time can be emotional for the whole family. Making sure as parents that we offer our children reassurance and support is essential when helping them transition from lazy days back into the school routine. Every parent wants to be able to kiss their child better whenever possible, so sending a little reminder of how much you love them, such as a post it note in their lunchbox or a pocket pack of Kleenex® tissues in their schoolbag can ensure they feel loved and connected to you when you are not there. Let’s face it, we all like a reminder of just how much we are loved.”
This back to school season, Kleenex® is encouraging parents all over the country to help their children feel prepared for the start of the new school year by giving them a pocket pack of tissues in their school bags.
How emotional do Britain’s parents get? Check out the different areas on the map below!
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Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.