The first day of school is full of emotions —excitement, anxiety, anticipation—and that's just the parents! We took to social media to ask our readers how they mark this yearly milestone. Here are some of our favourite back-to-school traditions.

1. A nice breakfast for the first day

"Since I'm up at the crack of dawn on that day, I find a local pastry shop that's open early, pick up something unhealthy for breakfast—a butter croissant for me and a pain au chocolat or two for the kiddo—and we dig in on the porch. Then I walk her to school, wait until she is safely inside, go home and have a huge mug of coffee." - Chantal Saville

2. A last summer party

"We have a 'saying goodbye to summer' party, usually on the Labour Day weekend. It somehow lessens the pain of going back to school." - Roxanne Girard

3. Create a routine

"We do a practice week before school starts: we go to bed a little earlier, wake up earlier, eat breakfast, make the lunches in advance and enjoy the day! When the first day of school comes, which already has enough excitement for them, they've already adapted!" - Dan N Jodi Lamirande

4. Take pictures

"We always took first-day-of-school pictures beside a tree on the front lawn. Years later we took pre-graduation shots and one child's wedding picture under that same tree." - Jean Parrott Christie

"On the first day of school, my daughter always wears a t-shirt with the Stitch character from the movie Lilo and Stitch. Eventually I'm going to make them into a quilt for her to take to college. I have a few years to go, though. After I drop her off on the first day, I have mimosas by the pool and take a nap after lunch. For dinner, we go to her favourite restaurant." - Terri Brimm

6. Treat them with sweets

"I am a secretary at a middle school, and the first day of school is only for the grade sevens. I make them all a treat and deliver to each student to welcome them to their new school. Last year I made them each a cupcake with blue icing topped with a peach circle candy and a teddy bear graham cookie. The kids loved them. This year I am making a treat with Mini Oreos. Love my kids!" - Barb Stroud-Chaput

7. Get a New Look

"I go back in a couple weeks early to get my classroom all ready. Then I get a haircut and a mani-pedi before the first day and welcome everyone back with a big smile. I love being a teacher!" - Pamela Mason