These Back-to-School Tributes From Celebrity Parents Deserve an A+

As a new school year begins, stars like Khloe Kardashian, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jessie James Decker are acing the first day tributes. Keep reading to see their posts for their kids.

By Elyse Dupre Sep 01, 2024 7:00 AMTags
Watch: Khloé Kardashian's Ex Tristan Thompson Celebrates Daughter True's First Grade Milestone

It’s time to close the book on summer vacation. 

Which can only mean one thing: back to school. However, not all parents are ready for this new chapter. 

Take Khloe Kardashian, for instance, who admitted she couldn’t believe her daughter True Thompson was already starting first grade.

“It’s always such a rollercoaster of emotions when True starts a new school year,” the reality star—who shares the 6-year-old as well as 2-year-old son Tatum Thompson with ex Tristan Thompsonwrote on Snapchat Aug. 26. “This year is a big milestone for her… first grade. I’m not going to lie, I am having a really hard time processing the fact that she’s going into first grade.” 

And while Khloe is certainly proud of True, she noted she also felt “this strange mixture of loss, anxiety and fear.” 

“There’s this undeniable feeling that I’m losing parts of who she was with each day that passes,” the Good American mogul continued. “The little parts of who she used to be are being replaced with new parts that will make up the next little amazing person she will become. And I miss her. All the little versions of her who I used to know. Time moves fast, faster every year it feels like, and this new school year is a reminder to me to fully embrace every moment and soak it all in.”

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Khloe Kardashian Admits She's "Having a Really Hard Time" as Daughter True Thompson Starts First Grade

After all, Khloe—who celebrated her eldest’s first day with a balloon and crayon display—expressed how True “is more than I could ever have dreamed of in a daughter” and “seeing her grow makes me excited for the years and experiences ahead.”

Instagram/Khloe Kardashian

Sarah Michelle Gellar could relate to what KoKo was going through as her and husband Freddie Prinze Jr.'s daughter Charlotte, 14, and son Rocky, 11 also experienced big milestones: beginning high school and middle school.

Posting a video of herself dancing as her kids headed back to class, the actress wrote on Instagram, “Parents …. Who gets me today?!? But also…. How do I have a high schooler and a middle schooler?!? Time is a b---h.”

As the back-to-school season continues, keep reading to see more celebrity parents who’ve shared photos of their kids’ first day.

Jessica Simpson

"Maxwell, Ace and Birdie y’all make your Mom beam with smiles and grace," the singer—who shares her kids with husband Eric Johnson—wrote on Instagram Sept. 4. "Keep on showin’ up for yourselves with each step of the way through this new school year!"

She added, "I’m so very proud of y’all for individually shining your light so that in return others feel the glow."

Kim Kardashian

North West, Saint West, Chicago West and Psalm West—who the Kardashians star shares with ex Kanye West—looked all grown up as they headed to class in this Sept. 17 snapshot.

Bethenny Frankel

"And just like that…" the Real Housewives of New York City alum wrote on Instagram Sept. 3, alongside photos of herself with daughter Bryn, "we enter high school. #daughterlove #highschool #firstdayofschool #whoworeitbest."

Hilary Duff

She's got the right stuff! The Lizzie McGuire alum and Matthew Koma's oldest daughter Banks started kindergarten. 

"My queen. My boss. My CEO. My top dog. My big cheese. My kindergartener," Hilary wrote on Instagram Aug. 29. "Let’s go baby girl!!!"

Khloe Kardashian

Time flies when you're keeping up with the Kardashians! Case in point: The reality star was having "a really hard time processing the fact" that her daughter True Thompson—who she shares with ex Tristan Thompson—was heading into the first grade. 

"There’s this undeniable feeling that I’m losing parts of who she was with each day that passes," Khloe wrote on Snapchat Aug. 26. “Time moves fast, faster every year it feels like, and this new school year is a reminder to me to fully embrace every moment and soak it all in.”

Coco

"So this is what 3rd grade looks like" the Ice Loves Coco star captioned this photo of her daughter Chanel, who she shares with husband Ice-T. "First day of school is a love and hate day for me.. I hate to see her grow up so fast but love to see what she's growing into."

She added, "I'm so proud of her but will miss my little sidekick during the day.And yes I cried again,I just can't help it!"

Jessie James Decker

The country singer and her husband Eric Decker's three older kids—Vivianne, Eric II and Forrest—returned to school on Aug. 19. 

And with baby Denver at home, Jessie wrote on Instagram, "I still can’t believe I have a middle schooler and a 6month old."

Nick Cannon

Back to school season was off to a shining start for the comedian and Brittany Bell's son Golden Sagon, who started the fourth grade at just 7 years old after skipping kindergarten and pre-K.

Meanwhile, Golden's sister Powerful Queen—who Nick also shares with Brittany—began pre-kindergarten.

Katherine Schwarzenegger

As the Good Night, Sister author and her husband Chris Pratt prepare to welcome baby No. 3 together, their daughters Lyla and Eloise headed off to their first day of class.

Katherine captioned this Aug. 18 photo of the girls wearing their custom Stoney Clover backpacks, "How is it already back to school time?!"

Jamie Lynn Spears

Britney Spears' nieces are growing up fast! Maddie—who Jamie Lynn shares with ex Casey Aldridge—began her junior year of high school.

Meanwhile, Ivey—who the Zoey 101 alum shares with husband Jamie Watson—became a first grader.

Chris Brown

There's never a right time to say goodbye. That was probably what the "Run It!" singer and Nia Guzman were thinking when daughter Royalty went off to fifth grade on Aug. 27.

Mario Lopez

The Saved by the Bell alum sent kids Gia, Dominic and Santino off to school on Aug. 20, joking that means he and wife Courtney Lopez "have homework" to do.

"One (and only) year with all 3 kids at the same school," Courtney added in an Instagram post of her own. "So excited to wake up earlier, make lunches they won’t eat and do homework I can’t understand!"

Leah Messer

The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star embarked on not one, but two new chapters when her and ex Corey Simms' twins Aleeah and Aliannah started high school, and her youngest daughter Adalynn—who she shares with ex  Jeremy Calvert—entered middle school.

Nick Carter

Backstreet's back to school! The former boybander posed with his and wife Lauren Kitt Carter's three kids Odin, Saoirse and Pearl, writing on Instagram Aug. 23, "Nothing better than watching your children grow and learn."

Joanna Gaines

The HGTV host shared an emotional hug with her oldest son Drake—who she shares with husband Chip Gaines alongside their younger kids Ella, Duke, Emmie and Crew—as he headed back to Baylor University for his sophmore year.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum showed off the back-to-school plaques she made for daughter Charlotte and son Rocky—both of whom she shares with husband Freddie Prinze Jr.—as they began high school and middle school, respectively.

Mia Talerico

Good luck, Mia! The actress—who played the titular toddler in Good Luck Charlie—started her sophomore year of high school on Aug. 19. 

She quipped on Instagram, "Cue the comments about feeling old."

Melissa Joan Hart

Teenagers Braydon Wilkerson and Tucker Wilkerson—who the Sabrina the Teenage Witch actress shares with husband Mark Wilkerson—headed off to school on Aug. 7.

Jana Kramer

She got the boy to his class! The singer was on hand to watch her and ex Mike Caussin's son Jace start kindergarten on Aug. 9.

Meanwhile, the former couple's daughter Jolie began third grade.

Amanda Stanton

The Bachelor Nation star's daughters Kinsley and Charlie started the seventh and fifth grade, respectively.

"I just can’t believe how grown up they are," she wrote on Instagram Aug. 22, "& that they still love to match…& that I still cry on the first day of school no matter how long I’ve been doing this."

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