Mom of four shares the school drop-off truth every parent needs to hear
Pediatrician and mom Dr. Meghan Martin says parents should stress less about early milestones and focus on connection.
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For 11 consecutive years, Florida-based pediatrician and mother of four, Dr. Meghan Martin @dr.beachgem10, has done the first-day-of-school drop-off. She’s come to a realization every parent needs to hear: many of the early childhood debates that cause so much stress—breastfeeding versus formula, potty training timelines, first words—ultimately don’t matter once the school day begins.
“I had two kids before I became a pediatrician ‘officially,’ and just like every parent, I stressed over each decision I made for my kiddos,” Martin said in an Instagram reel. “Looking back, it probably didn’t matter much if I started fruits or vegetables first. But the things that did make a difference were the time invested in them—the bedtime stories and snuggles, the words of comfort and affirmation. Whether they were fed breast milk or formula has never once come up.”
Readers weigh in
Her reel quickly went viral, racking up more than 2.5 million views and over 124,000 likes. People flooded the comments with relief and validation.
“Fifth grade teacher here – it’s still important to share the love of reading with your older child too!!!! They need role models at home monitoring their reading abilities.” – @danettehitt
“I love this message! Those decisions feel huge when the babies are tiny and way less important with some distance and perspective. I’ll also add- no one cares if you had a natural delivery, epidural or c-section :).” – @hugofam
“As a retired crimes against children detective, my bar is to not scar them for life when gently exposing them to the danger of the World. 😅. Kids are resilient; you’re doing great, new parents!!!🙌.” – @killer_bee_tactical
Related: Struggling with school drop-offs? This mom’s viral hack might help
What parents need to hear
New parents often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to make perfect choices: how to feed, when to sleep train, how to approach potty training. But Martin’s take is a reassuring mix of expert advice and mom-to-mom perspective.
“Maybe the best thing you can do for your kids is to model your behaviour. They’re always looking, even when you think they are not.”
What actually matters for school readiness
Teachers may not care about a child’s first words or how they were fed, but they do care about certain practical skills. According to Martin, these include:
- Being able to communicate bathroom needs and manage basic hygiene independently
- Sitting and listening for short periods
- Following simple, two-step directions
She also stresses nightly reading as one of the most effective ways to prepare children for school. “One of the best things we can do as parents to prepare our kids for school is to read to them nightly,” Martin said.
Words that resonate
Beyond practical skills, Martin emphasizes modeling behavior. Children learn far more from what they see than what they are told. “Kids tend to mimic what they hear,” she said. “Hearing parents say positive things about themselves and others will help kids learn to do the same. It’s also important to model coping mechanisms and managing our emotions. Kids need to know it’s OK to have big feelings and learn how to manage them safely.”
Related: 10 ways to make school drop-off and pick-up easier—for you and your child
Quality time and modeling matter at any age
Even if you feel like you’ve “missed the chance” because your children are older, it’s never too late to build connection and model positive behavior. Reading together, modeling kindness, and simply spending quality time can make a huge impact—no matter your child’s age.
Martin’s viral reassurance captures it best: “You’re doing great. I promise.” Whether you’re sending a kindergartener off to their first day of school or navigating newborn life, this perspective is a gentle reminder of what truly matters.
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