Braxton's Big Milestone: Turning 3 and Starting Pre-K
This year has been a major milestone for my little boy, Braxton. He turned 3 and officially started pre-K in August! The transition from home to school has been quite an adventure, not just for him but for our entire family. I’m sure many parents can relate to the whirlwind of emotions and adjustments that come with this phase.
For the first three years of his life, Braxton was home with us, and we made a very intentional decision not to enroll him in daycare. Instead, I retired my mom to be his caretaker, and she’s been with him since birth. With both Reggie and I having demanding schedules as dental professionals, we felt this was the best option for our family. I worked four days a week while Reggie, who’s semi-retired, worked three days a week. We maintained a good balance of time with our patients and plenty of quality time with Braxton, which was a priority for us.
It’s important to note that our decision to keep him out of daycare was purely based on our unique situation. We have nothing against daycare and would’ve gladly gone that route if we didn’t have the choice to have my mom care for him. Every family has to do what works best for them!
From Home to Pre-K: How Braxton's Thriving
When the time came for Braxton to start school, we were, of course, a bit anxious about how the transition would go. After all, this was the first time he would be in a structured school environment with other kids, after spending his early years with close family. But, to our relief and joy, he’s transitioned beautifully.
On his very first day, his teacher commented on how impressed she was with his vocabulary! Early on, Reggie and I decided not to use baby talk with him. We wanted to help develop his communication skills as naturally and maturely as possible, and it seems like it’s paid off. He’s been soaking up his new surroundings, making new friends, and bringing home so many stories and new things he’s learned. We’re proud of how well he’s handled it all.
5 Tips for Transitioning from Home to Pre-K
If you’re preparing for a similar transition, whether your child is going to pre-K, daycare, or kindergarten, I know how nerve-wracking it can be. Here are a few tips that helped us (and Braxton) manage this significant change:
Talk About School in Advance
One of the best ways to ease the transition is to prepare your child mentally. Start talking about school in a positive light well before their first day. We made sure to describe it as a fun, exciting place where he’d make friends and learn new things. Braxton was excited before he even walked through the door.Set Up Playdates
If possible, arrange playdates with other children before school starts. This can help ease their social anxiety. Since Braxton hadn’t spent much time around kids his age, we introduced him to other kids in our circle, which made the transition easier for him once he entered a classroom full of new faces.Establish a Routine Early
Starting a consistent morning and evening routine a few weeks before school helps prepare your child for the structured environment. We made sure Braxton got used to waking up early and going to bed at a set time to avoid any shock to his system when pre-K began.Emphasize Independence
Encourage your child to do simple tasks independently, like dressing themselves or putting on their shoes. This builds confidence. We practiced this with Braxton, and it made him feel more secure on his first day knowing he could handle the little things on his own.Stay Positive (Even if You’re Nervous!)
Kids pick up on our emotions, so staying positive and enthusiastic is key. If you’re feeling anxious, they might too. We kept it light and fun, hyping up his “big boy” adventure. Staying upbeat about the change helped him approach it with excitement instead of fear.
Final Thoughts
This transition to school life is one of the first big steps your child will take, and it can feel like a big step for us parents too. Trust that they will rise to the occasion, and remember that it’s okay to feel emotional about it. Your little one is growing up, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.
As for Braxton, I’m so excited to see all that he’ll learn and experience in this new chapter. And if you’re going through this transition with your child, I’d love to hear about your experience! How are you handling it, and how is your child adjusting?
PS: If you’re navigating big transitions like balancing work and parenthood or even thinking of starting your own business, check out my e-book, From Idea to Profit. It’s packed with actionable steps to help you turn your business dreams into reality. Plus, when you purchase, you’ll receive a free side hustle guide and workbook to get you started right away.
