What it's like sending your kid to school for the first time

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Photos: First day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary

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Isabella Anderson, 5, says goodbye to her mother Sam, 27, on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Alison Swaim, 38 of West Des Moines takes a photo of her daughter Lila, 5, before school on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Ridge Rutherford, 8, of West Des Moines, left, hugs his brother Ryder, 5, on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Jered Headrick, 39 of West Des Moines gives his daughter Avery, 5, a kiss before leaving her on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Alison Matthes, 32, right and Jim Matthes, 47, right, both of West Des Moines, take a photo of their daughter Coral, 5, in kindergarten on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Teacher Sue Samuelson shows how to turn on the motion sensing lights in the bathroom of her kindergarten classroom on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Teacher Sue Samuelson explains the differences of using the bathroom at school compared to at home to her class of kindergartners on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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New kindergartner Cameron Hurley works on an art project on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Keerthika Pradeep, 33, of West Des Moines, blows a kiss to her daughter Prathikhaasri Pradeep in kindergarten on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Isabella Anderson, 5, of West Des Moines, raises her hand on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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New kindergartner Cameron Hurley listens as teacher Sue Samuelson reads a book on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Backpacks hang in cubbies on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Kindergarten teacher Sue Samuelson demonstrates an art project on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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Prathikhaasri Pradeep works on an art project in kindergarten on the first day of school at Fairmeadows Elementary school on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

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It's been a bittersweet time for many Iowa parents this week.

Summer break is over for the little ones and it's time to engage in the tradition of dropping your child off for the first day of school. I don't have any kids, but I've been getting a lot of second-hand feelings from watching my friends go through the process. It's not easy.

Every experience is different, but there are some universal truths and feelings associated with this day that all parents have.

First, you're in disbelief...

WAIT, WHAT?

IT'S TIME FOR MY KID(S) TO GO TO SCHOOL ALREADY? NO. I CAN'T BELIEF THIS. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS.

And then you get nostalgic...

BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST BABIES LIKE A WEEK AGO.

Then there are tears...

"But my babies need me! Who will separate the cheese in their Lunchables?"

And then there might be more tears. But not from you. It's hard for some kids to let go too.

Eventually the separation anxiety will fade...

And yours will too.

Before you know it, you'll be dropping your kids off and it'll be second nature.

DES MOINES REGISTER

Coffee and tears: Helping parents with the first day of school

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23 photos: First day of school at Webster Elementary

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Victor Roberts chats with his daughters, Jenna, a fifth-grader, Kira, a third-grader and Hallie, a kindergartener, before they go into school as his son, Logan, waits, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Preschooler Lila Fulton poses for a photo for her mom, LeeAnn, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Fourth-grader Kaden Fuller gives his mom a hug as he heads into school, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Kindergartener Tyler Miller is excited to get to school, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Preschooler Emersyn Hughell keeps the sun out of her eyes as she waits with her brother and sister, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Kindergartener Dominic Caruso runs to the school on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Students and parents head into the school, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Three students wait their turn to be photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Former Principal Greg Carenza stops in to see his students, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Pam Gronau poses for a photo with her sons, Cael, a third-grader, and pre-schoolers Austin and Brayden, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Students and parents stop to take first day of school photos on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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A preschooler holds her brother's hand as they walk into school on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Anna Jones hugs her fifth-grader Ava as she goes to school on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Parents and students arrive for the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Kindergartener Drew Featherston hugs his dad on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Student teacher Miranda Fiene helps a student with a tag in her shirt on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Third-grade teacher Deana Quick poses for a photo with Armin Ikeljic on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Students find their lockers on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Kindergartener Cash Cunningham gives his mom a quick kiss as she leaves his classroom on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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A student smiles at her mom as she leaves on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Third-grader Armin Ikeljic says goodbye to his parents on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Second-grade teacher Patty Alexander greets her students at the door on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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Preschooler Ryker King poses for a photo with his dad on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the first day of school at Webster Elementary. Merle Laswell/For the Register

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