The end of summer is a time of transition for many families. Some young children are now going off to school for the first time. I know there will be many tearful moms not quite believing that their babies are old enough for full time school. We see another side of this transitional process in our office. We see nannies tearful that “their” babies are off to school—and now they may be looking for new jobs. While sad, it is heart warming to hear how deeply these caregivers feel about their charges. Many of them are truly despondent at the thought of not seeing “their” kids everyday. In the meantime, try and make this transition time positive.

Here are some back-to-school tips:

-Reset your clocks! While bedtime may be a moving target in the summer, now would be a good time to get on your school schedule. Get the kids used to earlier bedtimes and earlier wake up times before school starts.

-To avoid wasting time in the mornings, have your nanny sort through clothes in drawers and closets and  get rid of items that have been outgrown.

-Talk about how things are going to be when school starts. Kids like to know what to expect. It’s good to help them prepare for next steps.

-If your child is going to a new school, have your nanny do a dry run so she is secure with the directions. It’s not fun being late for the first day.

-If possible, set up play-dates with children who will be in the same grade.

-If your nanny is moving on when school starts, plan a going away party for her. Allow her to be part of helping launch your child to the next stage. Make sure your child knows that he/she will still be able to see the nanny again.

Take pictures! Prepare for you or your nanny to shed a few tears. Transitions can be hard for everyone.