Let me just say it straight: those teary, clingy school drop-offs? They can wreck you.

As a mom, especially when it’s your first time sending a little one off to school, watching your child cry as you walk away is heartbreaking. I’ve been there—clutching the steering wheel after drop-off, wondering if I did the right thing and fighting the urge to march back in and scoop them right up.

But here's what I’ve learned: those tearful goodbyes don’t mean something is wrong with your child. They’re not misbehaving. They’re just working through something really normal—separation anxiety.

It usually shows up around the same time kids start understanding object permanence (aka, when they realize you're gone even if they can’t see you). And if I’m honest, it’s kind of sweet in a gut-wrenching way—it means they’re securely attached to you. They love you and don’t want you to go.

But yeah, I know—knowing that doesn’t exactly make it easier.

7 Back-to-School Tips to Make Drop-offs Easier

If you’re deep in the drop-off struggle, or just bracing for it, here are 7 tips that helped me on back-to-school drop-offs, and might help you too.

1. Start Preparing Early (and Involve Your Kid!)

I started prepping a couple of weeks before the first day. We practiced our morning routine, including waking up, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and packing their meals and other school stuff. I made it fun by letting my child help me label their stuff (we love our InchBug labels as my kid’s name tag—super cute and helpful).

We also role-played what school would be like—I pretended to be the teacher, and they’d “go to class.” If you can swing it, visiting the school or even just driving by helps a lot too.

2. Hype Up School (Even If You’re Nervous Inside)

Kids read our energy. So even though I was quietly freaking out, I tried to keep things upbeat. I told my child how exciting school is—how I loved it as a kid, how fun it is to meet friends, and how cool it is to learn new things.

We talked about school every day leading up to it, and I made sure to highlight the fun stuff—like recess, snack time, and storytime.

3. Keep a Consistent Schedule (Even on Weekends)

Kids thrive on routine. We started waking up at the same time every day—even on weekends (ugh, I know). But it helped! Keeping the same rhythm made mornings way less stressful, and my kid began to expect what was coming next.

Bonus tip: Always give yourself extra time in the mornings to allow for calm and fun trips to school. Always keep in mind that rushing and emotions can be recipes for disaster (of course, we don’t want that!)

4. Get to Know the Teacher

Meeting the teacher ahead of time made a huge difference for both of us. We scheduled a little meet-and-greet where my child could say hi, look around the classroom, and just get comfortable.

I also made sure to chat with the teacher, ask how she handles tough drop-offs, and exchanged contact info so I could check in when needed (not all day, every day—but enough to feel reassured).

5. Ease Into the Morning With Engagement

On school days, I tried to arrive a few minutes early so we weren’t rushing. I’d walk my kid in and help them find an activity or toy they liked before leaving.

Sometimes we’d spot a classmate and say hi together—a little social boost before I said goodbye.

6. Don’t Sneak Out… But Don’t Linger Either

This one was tricky. I wanted to sneak out so my child wouldn’t cry. But honestly? That backfired. It made them more anxious the next day because they didn’t trust that it’s just a momentary goodbye. 

Put yourself in their shoes—nothing could be particularly disheartening and more anxiety-inducing for a child to just suddenly see their parents disappear without saying goodbye.

So never, as in never, make the same mistake as I did! 

To make up for it, I decided to devise a special goodbye ritual with my child. A kiss on the forehead, two nose rubs, and a wave at the window. Super simple, but meaningful.

And once you say goodbye? Leave. I know. It’s hard. But sticking around only makes it harder for both of you.

7. Keep Your Promises (It Builds Trust!)

If you say, “I’ll be back after snack time,” be back after snack time. If you promise an after-school donut run, follow through. These little moments build trust—your kid learns, “Mom always comes back.”

After school, we had our own “reunion ritual” too—big hug, a silly handshake, and then I’d listen to all the stories (even if they just talked about the snack).

So … When Will It Get Easier?

Honestly? It depends. Some kids settle in after a few days. For others, it takes a few weeks—even months.

And sometimes, just when you think it’s all good, they have a rough drop-off out of nowhere. It happens. Regression is normal. The best thing you can do is stay calm, stay consistent, and go back to what worked before.

If the crying and anxiety don’t ease up after a long while—or it starts affecting other areas of life—don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician or a child therapist. You’re not failing. You’re just getting help.

Sometimes, the school environment might not be the right fit. And that’s okay too. Trust your gut. You know your child better than anyone.

Little Things That Help (Like Cute Labels!)

One thing that made a surprisingly big difference? Letting my child help decorate and label their school things. They loved seeing their name on everything, and it gave them a sense of ownership.

We use InchBug labels—they’re adorable, super durable, and honestly saved us from so many “missing jacket” incidents. It made school prep feel more exciting too.

At the end of the day, we’re all doing our best. The fact that you’re even reading this tells me you care—a lot. And that’s what your child needs most of all: your love, your patience, and your presence (even if it’s just a quick goodbye and a promise to be back).

You’ve got this, Mama.

Want to make mornings a little easier and more fun? Check out InchBug for cute, personalized name labels and school goodies. I promise—even the smallest things can make a big difference.