My daughter is starting kindergarten. Here's how I'm navigating our first day of school

My oldest child, Sophia, is about to step on the bus and head to school for the first time.

I've spent the past month checking things off the school supply list and registering her for after-school care, all while feeling anxious about my extroverted, bright five-year-old starting her school career.

It feels like this may be the biggest milestone in her life so far. But bringing her into this world, teaching her words and watching her take those first steps also felt like major milestones.

Other parents always say that once they start school, don't blink, because it goes by so fast. I do not feel ready. 

And while I know she's prepared for school, in so many ways, she is still my little girl.

To put my back-to-school worries to rest I reached out to other parents who were feeling the exact same way. And we compared our emotions and concerns.

Vanessa McAuley, who works on the Newfoundland and Labrador school district's safe and inclusive schools policy, gave me some great advice on navigating this big kindergarten moment.

She says it is all about co-regulation: in other words, feeling our feelings together.

McAuley says talking through my fears and anxieties and making Sophia a big part of all the decisions surrounding school will aid in this transition.

So, on a warm summer evening as we practise school drop-off and pickup at her school's parking lot,  I am reminded to ask her how she's feeling, and encourage her to carry her sparkling unicorn pink book bag and princess lunch box.

I know I am not the only parent who is wiping away a tear or two, or up late worrying about the bus schedule or uneaten packed lunches.

But I also know that it is all going to work out just fine.

Click on the video player at the top to see Colleen Connors's report.

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