Parents of babies born during the coronavirus pandemic -- who only knew a world where social distancing was the norm -- are gearing up for their first day of school.
Even if they went to daycare, experts say this new social phase presents brand new challenges.
Whether it was all masks all the time, or hypervigilant language teaching your kids that stepping out of the COVID bubble was dangerous, school is here now and some little ones are walking into a world that will likely challenge almost everything they're used to.
Experts have a few tips to help parents tackle this back-to-school transition.
The first is emotional regulation. There's going to be outbursts and interruptions. Licensed clinical social worker Robyn Isman says don't freak out. Pair solutions to feelings.
"Kids were delayed in being able to practice those skills, they weren't around other adults."
Some parents might not have worked on delaying gratification because they felt guilty for all the things their kids couldn't do.
The second tip is about social interactions. For nerves in social interactions, name a feeling and validate it.
"Separating from your parent is supposed to be a little unnerving," according to Isman, who adds that it doesn't always help when parents try to avoid that and tell their kids they'll be fine.
Isman says embrace the reality that being apart is scary.
The third tip involves cognitive skills. When it comes to that, accept potential delays.
"We had way less interaction with people," Isman said.
Maybe COVID kindergarteners have a hard time during lessons or they don't feel the same as other kids. For that, Isman says, don't overprepare them so much that they think it's not okay to be different.
"Their feelings are not predictive of how things will go. Anxiety and nervousness lives in anticipation," Isman said.
Above all, parents should remember to give themselves some grace.