This week I've been bringing you guys all things Back-To-School. Monday, I celebrated literacy with Scholastic and Tuesday I invited you to join me in the Back-To-School Meal Maker Challenge with HEB and ConAgra Foods. Today, however, I thought I'd address ways you, as Parents, can help relieve those "First Day Jitters" and help start the year off anxiety free.

If you know me, you're probably laughing at the title to this post, because I'm the Queen of Anxiety. My brain, literally, can't function when I feel anxious. Unfortunately, I've also passed down this condition to my 8-year-old son. His anxiety, often times, becomes a crutch to him socially. If your child suffers on the First Day of School, I've got some great ideas you can help using flyers, postcards, bookmarks, and a little creative thinking.


5 Ways To Relieve First Day Jitters

1. Read With Your Children: There are a variety of books you can read to your children to help relieve anxiety or help with separation anxiety. Our favorite is The Kissing Hand, but we also like Llama Llama Misses Mama, First Day Jitters, I'm You're Bus, and I Love You All Day Long.
2. Create Bookmarks: If you own any of the above books, ask your Teacher if she'd like to borrow it to read to the class. Create "First Day" bookmarks at low cost, for the class, using printing companies like NextDayFlyers.com. Include a Welcome Message from your child to his peers or maybe just a picture of the book. You can also create your own with craft materials as a fun family project.
3. Take a Tour of the School: A lot of anxiety, at least for my son and I, comes from not knowing where to go. If your school has an Open House prior to the First Day, I highly suggest you go as a family to tour the school. If not, call the office and see if you can schedule a private tour to show your child where everything is located.
4. Have a Bus Stop Party: If your child plans to ride the bus, plan a Bus Stop party. Create flyers or postcards and deliver around the neighborhood inviting children and their parents to your bus stop to meet others who will be riding on the same bus and enjoy breakfast snacks. Another way to kick off fun is to create goody bags with pencils, stickers, etc. to help them off happy and ready.
5. Be an Example: As I mentioned, I tend to stress and become anxious especially if my children are suffering. I worry that they'll have a meltdown while away from me and question whether others can help them through it. I still remember my son's teacher calling me she found my son vomiting in the bathroom and crying because he got lost. My heart broke in two knowing I wasn't there. He's going to 3rd grade now and my daughter is entering 1st. I've come to learn a lot about how to handle any anxiety they have on the First Day. I learned, if I'm calm they will be too. They can easily sense if I'm worrying which makes it that much harder for them to get through it. Be an example and show them, there's nothing to worry about.

Parents, I've given you 5 ways to relieve First Day of School Jitters. What do you do to help your children?

Don't forget to enter our BackToSchool Giveaways featured at the top of page. You could win a $50 HEB and ConAgra Foods Prize Pack or $100 Worth of Scholastic Books!

This is a Sponsored Post by NextDayFlyers.com. Opinions and ideas are, solely, my own, however, I was compensated for my time. Yeah. I collaborate with companies and we bring creativity together for Rockin' Posts. FTC makes sure I let you guys know that.