'It really helps': Melbourne doctor shares a simple ritual that can ease first day of school anxiety

A lot of parents around the country are starting a very new and big chapter of their parenthood journey: navigating school. 

The first day of school or daycare comes with a lot of emotions for everyone, and it can be hard to cope with separation anxiety. 

Thankfully Dr Golly, a Melbourne-based paediatrician, has a simple way to help your little one – and maybe you too – with this, and all you need is a texta or pen. 

Watch the video above. 

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In an Instagram post, he said the ritual is so simple but it can really help. 

The first thing you need to do is draw a love heart on your child's hand. If they're old enough, get them to draw one on yours or draw it on yourself. 

Then press your hands together to "activate their magic" with the hearts touching. 

"Encourage them to press theirs if they are missing you while you're separated," he wrote in the caption of the post. 

"It will help them feel close to you even though you can't be together in that moment. You can do the same if you need it too… it really helps." 

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A lot of parents praised him for sharing such a quick but thoughtful idea, with a lot of mums commenting that they'll be doing it this week for the start of school. 

"We've done this with starting daycare/preschool and I'll be doing it again this Thursday for big starting big school," commented one mum.

Another mum replied, "We call this our love button." 

"I do this too, we call it the courage heart. Whenever my kids are feeling worried or scared they press it and mummy sends them some of her courage," added another mum. 

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One suggested there's also a really nice way to explain to your kids that it's OK if the heart starts to fade throughout the day too. 

"I love this. I've also heard that you should tell them that if the heart starts wearing off, it just means you're getting closer to seeing each other again (so they don't get upset by the heart disappearing)," she commented.

Even Dr Golly replied that it was "genius". 

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And while it's a wonderful way to cope with separation anxiety for school, there are other situations where it works too. 

"Aww ❤️ I did this with my 3 year old daughter when I went to hospital to have my second baby," commented one mum. 

"Great idea," replied Dr Golly. 

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