Tuesday is the first day of school in Lincoln and emotions are running high, especially for parents sending a child off to school for the first time!

No need to worry though, it's just a little thing called separation anxiety.

Experts say it's completely normal and to be expected in this situation.
Lincoln Public Schools social worker, Nancy Bare said she sees it every year.

"It's hard your baby grows up and they are really leaving for the first time for a huge block of time. You are letting your baby go and you're trusting us, trusting the school, to take care. That's a huge leap," said Nancy Bare.

"I think it's usually a very poignant day when you let your little kindergartener go for the first time," Bare said.

Bare said it's better if the parent just leaves at the door.
Although, each scenario is different and you should do what's comfortable for you and your child.
The first day of school is an anxious time for everyone. Teachers and the kids too said Bare.

"Some kids do experience separation anxiety," Bare said.

"We see it every year and they don't want to come to school and they put up a pretty big fight about it and it's a very common thing. It's an anxiety disorder. It's very treatable. And the way to treat it is just get them here (school) and let go and leave the child," Bare added.

"Even if the child is tearful, in some cases more than tearful, screaming and crying, it's okay. Usually when the parents are gone then the child copes. And that's the thing. They have to learn to cope. And when the parent backs away and when the child is here, we can give them some time and some space and usually very quickly they join us and let go of their fears about it," said Bare.

Bare said watch for these sure signs your child may be suffering from anxiety:
Reluctance to get out of bed and out of the house
Pleas to stay home
Pleas of feeling sick with a stomach ache or a headache.

Bare said parents shouldn't give in to those pleas. Instead they should send them off to school and give the teacher a heads-up.
One way to avoid the anxiety in the first place is to create excitement about the school year by meeting your teacher before the first day of school.