My daughter will be fine. She's social, excited, ready to go. But I keep thinking about her sitting alone at lunch or something going wrong and me not being there to fix it. I know this is irrational. I know she needs to do this. Why is this harder for me than it is for her? She went to bed at her normal time like it was nothing and I'm over here at 11pm spiraling.
The fact that you're aware it's irrational is actually the thing that matters most. She'll have rough moments and YOU won't be there and that's the whole point - she'll figure it out. That's the skill she's building.
The sitting alone thing hits different because we've all been there right? But kids honestly have no filter - they'll just go sit with someone. It's adults who overthink the social hierarchy.
Real talk: kindergarten is the first time they prove to themselves they can handle things without you. That's the actual goal even though it feels terrifying. She's ready, your nervous dad brain just needs to catch up
The "can't fix it from afar" anxiety is real and valid. But honestly? Teachers are way better at handling kid conflicts than we are. She'll figure it out and be stronger for it
Have you talked to her about what to do if she feels lonely? Not in a scared way, just like 'if you want a friend at lunch you could ask someone about their sandwich' or whatever. Gives her an actual tool instead of you just white-knuckling through the day.
I had the exact same spiral before my daughter's first day. Then I picked her up and she'd made two friends, colored a picture, and literally forgot I existed. She's fine, you're the one who needs the adjustment
You're not irrational, that's just dad brain. The good news is those first-day fears almost never match reality. Your daughter will thrive and by day 3 she'll barely remember you dropped her off
lol same brother, same. My son had the most social, confident first day of kindergarten and I was the emotional wreck in the parking lot
First day jitters hit harder when they're excited tbh. When they're nervous you can coach them but when they're pumped and YOU'RE the one freaking out that's rough. Just breathe man, she's got this.
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lol dude same. My son started K last year and I was checking my phone like every 5 mins waiting for the school to call about some disaster that never happened. He came home talking about making a friend named Marcus and suddenly my anxiety felt pretty dumb.