What to Do When My Son Goes to School for the First Time?

OK, Mom....here's the unwritten drill code for all first time, first day of school moms.
1. Cheerfully get him up, fed and ready to go. Take pictures!!!!!
2. Take him confidently to the bus stop or school. Take pictures!!!!!
3. State that you will see him at XXX time--at the bus stop, pick up--whatever you do normally for return from school.
4. Smile (sunglasses may be needed to hide your teary eyes), and tell him to have fun and use his best behavior.
5. Turn and go.
6. Return home and fall into a crumpled, snotty, crying ball on your couch/bed/floor, etc.
7. Be unproductive all day. Think of him every minute he's away. Wait, wonder, worry how he's doing. Make cookies.
8. Get yourself together before pick up time.
9. Collect him from school/bus. Take pictures!!!!!!
10. Do not be surprised if he has little to say about his day--this will come in time. Serve cookies!!!!!

Repeat daily. It will be much easier for him than you. You will get used to it. Never let him see you cry, sweat or waffle. We've gotta give our kids roots and wings. This is the wings part. Good luck!

I agree with Denise. Be cheerful but not fake. He will sense it. Try not to cry until the bus is around the corner. If he really hasn't been away from you much, is there a family member that could come over and take him out on errands for a few hours? Just so that the first day bus ride isn't the first time that he is being driven away from you?

Also have you been to his classroom and met his teacher? Put a little picture note (a smiley face or a kiss) or sticker in his backpack as a cheerfull pick me up when he gets to school.

There's nothing you can do to prevent you from crying. Three days ago, my 2 year old little girl started preschool. I talked up preschool. I told her of all of the fun things she will do and learn. I bought her a backpack. I let her pick out a lunch box, tissues, and wipes. She picked out what she was going to wear. She was so excited. I even explained to her that Mommy could not stay in school with her. I took her to school and walked her in. She cried for a minute and she was fine. I left and drove home. I cried all the way home. I was anxious all day until it was time to pick her up. I had missed her so much. Although, I did get a lot of housework done that I usually cast aside to play and teach my daughter. The bathrooms were scrubbed from top to bottom. The floors were vaccuumed and steam cleaned. The windows were washed. The lawn was mowed.
I made sure not to cry in front of my daughter so she would not be upset and scared.

On the first day I would consider driving him to school. Try to be strong. With my kids it was the second day that caused tears as they didn't realize what was happening on the first day. Your child will feed off of how you react. If you cry, they will think that it is a time for sadness, when really it should be a wonderful thing for them. he is a big boy now. Try to keep the tears in check until he is out of sight. Remember this is a the start of wonderful new things together. Prepare him ahead of time by telling him he is so lucky to ride the bus and go to big kid school and how much fun he will have at school with circle time, friends and crafts. And you get some time for yourself while he is at school.

I felt this way the first time I took him to day care at 3 months old (maternity leave was up), and I sat in the car and bawled after I dropped him off. By preschool, I knew he was having fun and playing with kids (he's an only child) and learning new skills. Kindergarten was fairly easy. First grade was tough (because his teacher had NO IDEA what she was doing), but we got through it. Now this fall he's starting Middle School (6th grade here) and I just realized grades 6 through 12 all ride on the same bus. He's fine but I'm having panic attacks. I'll be a complete mess when he leaves for collage. You'll get through this!