When your mini-me puts on their first school uniform and lugs their oversized backpack onto their shoulders, you will either cry or celebrate. Maybe both.
TBH, starting school has absolutely nothing to do with backpacks and everything to do with emotions running wild, parents questioning everything, and children suddenly deciding they only like one specific pair of socks.
If your child is starting in the middle of a Brisbane summer, here’s an additional tip: freeze half-filled drink bottles overnight. Or even better, use an insulated one that doesn’t turn the lunchbox into a swamp from condensation. Cold water lasts longer, books stay dry, and you’ve won at least one small parenting battle before 9am.
My 13yo recommends the small $10 Owala dupe from Kmart.
Ok, hot weather addressed. There’s more to starting school than heat — and the biggest thing of all is the emotions.
Because starting school isn’t just a logistical exercise, it’s a full emotional cocktail of excitement, nerves, pride, anxiety, and that slightly manic feeling that this is all happening very fast. The kids feel it. And honestly, so do we parents. Sometimes louder.
Which is why I wrote this guide. Not just to tick boxes, but to help everyone feel steadier through every age and stage — from preppies having their first big-school morning, right through to teens navigating new social worlds and growing independence.
Let’s Talk About School Anxiety
School anxiety is very real, and for little kids it can feel genuinely scary. Big feelings show up in small bodies with no warning, and suddenly you’re dealing with tummy aches, tears, clinginess, or a child who absolutely did not feel this way yesterday.
Here’s the comforting part: anxiety and excitement live right next door to each other in the brain. They feel almost identical in the body — fast heart, wiggly hands, big energy. The difference is the story we attach to it. One feels scary. The other feels positive. And with a bit of support, kids can learn to recognise that what they’re feeling is their body getting ready for something new, not something bad.
Below are a few gentle, child-friendly resources that work especially well in the lead up to the first day of school.
- Thought Bubbles — helps children imagine their worries as bubbles they can gently blow away. Perfect for kids who don’t want a big serious chat but still need help settling their minds.
- Bubble Bounce Mindfulness — a short, visual mindfulness activity for calm focus and slow breathing. Ideal for the morning before school or the night before when nerves tend to creep in quietly.
- Butterfly Hug Meditation — gentle and reassuring, helps children feel safe and in control of their bodies when emotions feel big.
- Let Go of Worries — a calming guided meditation that talks kids through releasing anxious thoughts. Great for children who carry worries in their heads and struggle to switch off.
- Rainbow Relaxation — combines breathing with imagination, helping kids relax their bodies one part at a time. Especially good for children who respond well to visual cues.
None of these are about making anxiety disappear. They’re about helping children understand what they’re feeling, trust their bodies, and know they’re safe and supported. And from my own experience, they work just as well for parents who might need a quiet moment too.
Ready, Set, Prep! Tips for Starting School
Starting prep is a HUGE milestone — for parents and kids alike. The excitement of new uniforms, meeting teachers, and making new friends can be mixed with a fair bit of nervous energy. Here are a few things you can do to mentally prepare ahead of the big day.
- Visit the school: Take a tour to familiarise them with the environment — classroom, playground, and important spots. If you haven’t done this yet, even a drive-by helps.
- Practice the routine: Start practising the school routine a few days before, including bedtime, wake-up time, and morning prep.
- Pack together: Involve them in choosing their backpack, lunchbox, and school supplies. It gives kids a sense of control and excitement.
- Talk through the schedule: Explain start and end times, lunch breaks, and any special activities like art or PE.
- Read books about school: Plenty of children’s books tackle starting school and can help ease anxiety. Check your local library.
Social Skills Worth Practising
- Making friends: Encourage them to introduce themselves and ask others to play. Friendships make school more fun!
- Listening and following instructions: Reinforce the importance of listening to the teacher and following classroom rules.
- Asking for help: Make sure they feel comfortable asking their teacher for help. It’s a vital part of independence.
Academic Stuff — Don’t Stress
Straight up, don’t stress about this. The whole point of going to school is to learn, and have loads of fun while doing it. There is no academic requirement to start school.
That said, if there was one thing that could help ease anxiety, it would be if your child can recognise their written name. Lots of things at school will have their name on it — their seat, their bag, their hat (OMG definitely NAME everything!). Being able to recognise this helps them feel more confident, but again, they will absolutely learn this at school.
Personal Care Wins
- Using the bathroom independently — including washing hands afterward — is a great confidence booster.
- Managing their belongings — teach them to recognise and take care of their backpack, lunchbox, and hat. Builds responsibility early.
After Drop Off — Mind the Parent
Once the gate closes, the feelings don’t magically disappear. Even if you have to work, try to find some time to be kind to yourself today. Whether that’s a walk, a gym session, a massage, or sitting down for a proper morning tea with a friend. You’ve just navigated a big milestone too, and looking after your own emotional energy makes everything else feel a little lighter.
New School, New Rules: Starting High School
Starting high school is a whole new level. New subjects, fresh friendships, and more independence can also bring a few butterflies. Remind your tween that every other kid is feeling exactly the same — no one is full rizz on day one. Hold your head high, fake it till you make it, and you will find your tribe.
- Master the morning routine: High school often starts earlier than primary. Prep clothes, pack bags, and plan breakfast the night before.
- Pack the deo: Add deodorant to their school bag — especially important after PE on hot Brisbane days.
- Embrace organisation skills: Planners, apps, or colour-coded folders help manage more subjects and homework.
- Map it out: Get a campus map and help your teenager plan their day to avoid the stress of getting lost.
- Encourage independence: Let them take charge of packing their bag, tracking assignments, and communicating extra activities like sport days or excursions.
- Stay socially open: The social scene changes in high school. Remind them to stay open to new connections.
- Get involved: Clubs, sports teams, and extracurricular activities are fantastic ways to meet people and make the experience more enjoyable.
- Manage stress: Teach your teen some stress-relief techniques — deep breathing, exercise, or talking to someone they trust.
Parenting Playbook: Tips for Every Age
First things first. Take a breath. You’re allowed to feel wobbly. Starting school brings up pride, relief, nerves, and a strange urge to cry in the car. That’s normal. Your child doesn’t need you to be calm and perfect. They just need you to be steady enough.
Lead the mood, gently. Kids borrow our nervous systems. A calm tone, a light joke, and a “we’ve got this” energy goes a long way, even if you’re saying it through slightly clenched teeth.
Create a send-off ritual. A special breakfast, a quick photo, a silly saying at the door. It doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy. It just has to be familiar. Rituals anchor kids — and they quietly anchor us parents too.
Fuel them, not the pressure. Good food helps, but perfection isn’t the goal. Pack what you can, keep it realistic, and remember one lunchbox does not define your parenting. Check out our easy lunchbox ideas for some quick inspiration.
As you send your kids off, remember that this journey is as much about growth for you as it is for them. Embrace the mix of excitement and nerves — both yours and theirs! With a little preparation, open communication, and a dash of humour, you can help make this transition a positive experience.
Celebrate their milestones, big and small, and remind them that every new beginning is an opportunity for adventure and discovery. Here’s to a fantastic school year filled with learning, friendships, and unforgettable memories!
Life Begins
Poem by Natarsha March
Big bag
Bright shoes
Uniform
Heartbeat up
Today is warm
Breathe in
Breathe out
Got hands in pockets
Walk in
Sit down
Wet eye sockets
Chair scrape.
Name called.
Look up.
Smile.
I will see you in a while
New friends
New trends
It all spins.
Not just a first day,
But life begins.
Brisbane Family Life 