Struggling with school drop-offs? This mom’s viral hack might help

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a tough school drop-off with your little one. 🙋🏻‍♀️ I bet most of us can relate! One mom from South Australia, Kate, recently went viral after sharing a sweet and simple parenting hack that’s making her school mornings a whole lot smoother.

In a TikTok video, Kate (who asked Newsweek not to use her last name) opened up about the struggles she and her toddler, Cece, faced when it came time for school. Cece had been going through weeks of tearful goodbyes and tantrums—so much so that the staff at Cece’s school would have to literally “peel” her off her mom at drop-off. “It broke my heart,” Kate shared in the video’s text overlay.

Desperate for a way to make mornings easier, Kate remembered a school drop-off trick she had heard on a podcast a few years ago. She decided to try it with her two-year-old—and the results have been nothing short of heartwarming.

The idea is simple: each day before they head out for school, Kate and Cece draw little doodles on each other’s hands. These small drawings—whether hearts, stars, smiley faces, or Cece’s new favorite, a simple circle for a ball—help the pair feel connected throughout the day, even when they’re apart.

“I asked her what she wanted me to draw, and it’s evolved over time. This week she wanted frogs, which was a little more challenging to draw,” Kate told Newsweek.

Kate’s heartfelt clip has racked up over 8 million views since it was posted on September 11, with fellow parents chiming in to share their own sweet drop-off rituals. One user commented that their mom used to spray perfume inside their sleeve, so when they felt anxious at school, they could smell their mom and feel comforted.

In speaking with Newsweek, clinical psychologist Dr. Martha Deiros Collado explained that these drawings, or “love buttons,” can be incredibly powerful for young children who may struggle to understand the concept of love. By drawing a little love button on their hands, parents can create a visual, physical representation of the connection they share.

“When you’re back together, you can ask, ‘Did you press your love button? I did it lots,’ which is the same as saying, ‘I was thinking of you today, did you think of me too?’” Dr. Deiros Collado explained.

And for Kate and Cece, the love button ritual has made all the difference. Kate told Newsweek that since starting this sweet tradition, their school drop-offs have improved, and Cece loves the activity.

Let this be a reminder for all of us to find those small moments of connection with our kids, because sometimes, a little love button can go a long way.