How to have a tear-free school drop-off

How to have a tear-free school drop-off...

1. Talk about school through the summer. Get your child excited about going back to class. This will help you avoid any surprises in routine; your child will be aware of what is coming up.

2. Remain positive and smile at the drop-off. Even if you are feeling anxious, do not let it show. Your child will likely react if they see you are upset or see your emotions change.

3. Reassure your child that you will be there when school is finished and be on time. Not having someone there at the end of the day can be very traumatic for children. You do not want them to think they have been forgotten.

4. Once you have said your goodbye, make sure you leave. Do not linger around the school. If your child catches a glimpse of you, this could be disastrous.

—Jennifer Dawes, full-day kindergarten teacher

A version of this article appeared in our September 2014 issue with the headline, "Quick fixes: How to do a tear-free school drop-off", p. 48.