The first day of school for a child is a big deal. It is also a big deal for parents, who have to watch their little tyke head off on that first real step of independence. After all, if they can make it through that first day of school, they are taking a leap out into the real world, surviving without mom or dad right beside them. It can be a scary day for both parent and child!

But, the parents have to be the adults in this situation (since that's what they are). They have to prepare their child for being separated for several hours from mom, when in fact they have been with her non-stop since their birth. This is certainly not as big of a shock to the system for children who have been in daycare, or pre-school programs. They have been "programmed" for this separation already. But what about the 5 year old who is heading out for his first brief interlude from his parents? There are some things that parents can do to help prepare their children for this possibly traumatic experience, to make it more appealing to them. Here are just a few ideas for making this day a success:

1. Begin the process early enough to let the idea of being away from parents sink in with the child. He needs to "warm up" to the idea of being away from his mother for an extended period of time. To suddenly surprise him on the first day of school is not fair to him, and is a sure plan for disaster. Start talking to him about school weeks, or months ahead of time so that the idea is not foreign to him as the time draws near.

2. Make school sound both interesting and fun. Don't focus on the idea of separation. Focus your talks on how much fun school will be. Talk about all the things that the child will learn. Try to focus on things that the child is interested in. It is amazing how much children like to learn when we as adults talk about what they like. You can also discuss how much fun the child will have with their peers. Most children, before going to school, only have a handful of friends to interact with. Tell your child about the other students that will be in their class, and how they can both learn with them, and play with them. That's right, if all else fails, focus on recess!

3. Make the first day of school special. Parents can make this day a special day for their child, especially if it is their first year of school. Take them out to the local donut shop for breakfast. Buy them a special outfit for that first day of school. Now that

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