Starting nursery or school is an emotional time for parents and children alike, which is why a simple idea to calm those nerves is proving so popular.
Mums and dads have been drawing hearts on their hands to act as a 'hug button' for themselves and their little ones.
The idea was initially thought up by mum Louise Mallet and shared via The Motherload parenting blog, but has since been shared far and wide.
Mini First Aid shared it on Facebook as children headed off on their new adventures this week and their post has been shared 22k times since Tuesday.
Explaining how the hug button works, the post states: "If your little one is starting school or nursery this week and feeling upset at the thought of leaving their mama or daddy behind, why not try a Hug Button?...
"This is such a fab idea - draw a heart on your hand and your little one’s, charge it up by holding hands and tell them that if they feel sad or miss you while at school to press the hug button and it will send you a hug - likewise, you can send your little one a big squeeze by touching the heart on your hand!
"We have tried and tested the Hug Button and can confirm it does work and makes for a very happy child and mum."
Thousands of people have also commented on the post to say how well the concept has worked for them.
One mum said: "As a manager of a pre school I have recommended this to some of our families to help when their little ones are struggling to be left for the first time, and it has worked beautifully.
"Also as a mum I have used it with my youngest and has made those goodbyes a little bit easier; I still use it now for those days/events that unsettle my son and he needs a bit of reassurance."
Another added: "We did it today (1st day back) both my children said they pressed it during the day. They even asked if we could do it again tomorrow! So thank you whoever thought of this idea, it made a emotional mummy feel like she helped her nervous children on their 1st day back at school."
For more details about Mini First Aid, which offers baby and child first aid classes to parents and carers, visit the website here .
Have you used the hug button? Has it helped? Or do you have some other way of helping your child? Let us know in the comments or on our Manchester Family Facebook page here.
