The new school year is approaching. For some it's a new year; for others, it's the first year.

You know that my kids don't go to school, but they did go for two years and I remember how difficult the beginning was. I also remember having a hard time deciding whether to send them to school sooner or later: some say that you should send your child to kindergarten as soon as possible if you don't want them to struggle; others say after they turn one; others say definitely not between 12 and 18 months when separation anxiety is higher; others say that if you haven't sent them before 18 months, just wait until they're three (this way you're over the self-affirmation phase); and finally, some say to skip preschool all together and go straight to primary school.

Well, everything is true and and not true at the same time. This is what I can tell you with intellectual honesty:

1. Some children have difficulty separating from their parents to start kindergarten or school, others do not. For some children, each year is a new year and brings with it the same separation anxiety.
2. There is no trick or tip to make it easier. There is no ideal age. When it comes to separation, there are no rules: it's just you, your child and your emotions, and you have to accompany them (not fix them!).
3. No one is prepared and knows what to expect until they experience it (that goes for life, too!). So there is no one to judge, no blame to assign, no one to compare with: let's leave expectations in the basement (or wherever you don't go often).

In this newsletter you will read 4 tips on back-to-school feelings; 3 practical tips; 2 things to do in the previous 15 days; 1 cobweb thought.