Back to School: Trusting Your Parental Intuition

As the school year approaches, a wave of emotions rolls in—excitement, anticipation, pride, and for many parents, a good dose of anxiety. Watching your child walk into a classroom for the first time, or even just after a long summer, is never just a logistical event. It’s deeply emotional. And if you’re feeling nervous or unsure, know this: that’s completely normal.

Parents are hardwired to protect their children. From the moment your child was born, you’ve been attuned to their needs, their emotions, their safety, and their well-being. So when you feel a tug in your gut as you drop them off at school—or when something doesn’t sit quite right—it’s worth paying attention to.

Give Yourself Grace

The first step is to acknowledge your feelings. Of course you’re emotional—your child belongs with you. That truth doesn’t go away just because school is starting. Letting go, even for a few hours a day, is a big deal. Give yourself grace for the tears, the overthinking, and the deep desire to peek back one more time.

Letting your child grow wings doesn’t mean denying your instincts. In fact, those instincts are exactly what help you guide them wisely.

If Something Feels Off, Don’t Ignore It

Maybe it’s a comment your child makes at dinner. Maybe it’s a look on a teacher’s face. Maybe it’s something that simply doesn’t feel right in your heart. Trust it.

If you’re feeling unsure about the school environment—whether it feels unsafe, unwelcoming, or just not a good fit for your child—don’t dismiss those feelings. Your intuition is not paranoia. It’s the result of years of close observation, care, and a deep understanding of who your child is and what they need.

And here’s an important truth: Second-guessing your instincts or brushing them off with “time will make it better” doesn’t help you, the situation, and definitely not your child. Hoping discomfort fades is not a plan—it’s a delay. And while transitions do take time, real peace comes from knowing your concerns have been heard and addressed.

You have every right to:

• Ask questions.

• Request meetings.

• Observe classrooms (when allowed).

• Follow up on concerns.

• Seek better options if needed.

  
  

Your Child Deserves to Be Safe, Secure, and Loved

At the end of the day, school should be an extension of the home—a place where your child is not only taught, but seen, supported, and cherished. When you drop your child off, you should feel peace knowing they’re going to a place where they are safe, secure, and loved.

If that’s not the feeling you have—if instead you’re burdened by dread, anxiety, or a constant nagging worry—it may be a sign that this environment isn’t the right one for your family. And that’s okay. You’re not being dramatic or difficult. You’re being a parent.

Final Thoughts

Trusting your intuition doesn’t mean rejecting every moment of discomfort. Growth is always a little uncomfortable. But there’s a difference between natural nerves and deep-seated unease. Learn to listen to that inner voice—the one that knows your child best.

Because at the end of the day, no one knows your child like you do. Trust that. Follow that. And know that your love and discernment are the greatest tools your child has as they navigate the world.