Prince William and Kate Middleton may have walked hand-in-hand with their perfectly behaved children for their first day of school today - but that's not the reality for every parent across the country.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 40, strolled through the ground of £50,000-a-year Lambrook school yesterday as they dropped Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, off for their first day.
And the children appeared to be on top form for the occasion, smiling at one another before shaking hands with the headmaster Jonathan Perry.
However, many parents have taken to social media to share snaps of what their children's first day at school is really like.
From tantrums on the floor to floods of tears, some mothers and fathers shared the moment they sent their youngsters off for the next life stage.
One British mother shared a post of her young son looking a little worried about the big day on Instagram.
Sharing the image, which showed her cuddling up with the little boy ahead of the big moment, she wrote: 'A few nerves this morning and Matteo telling me, "It's not too late, we can stay at home!"'
She added that he had settled into the school well, writing: 'He went into the class room with no problem - hopefully he realises school isn't so bad.'
Another parent shared a snap of their children posing with a silly face as they headed off to school with one another.
He wrote: 'New school years for these beautiful wallys. Noah and Isla in Year 6 and Cohen into year two.
'Proper cliche but time literally flying!'
One British mother went on to share a humorous snap ahead of her son's big day at school, although he appeared determined not to pose for the photo.
In the photograph, her son could be seen leaning into the glass door behind him and refusing to turn to look at his mother.
She posted: 'Sound Arthur! What a fabulous back to school photo.'
Another mother shared a picture of her son posing with his school bag at the door to their home - but the little boy looked particularly unsure in the image.
She wrote: 'Someone started school yesterday!'
A fourth parent, from Sheffield, posted a snap of her son posing in his school uniform in the garden of her home.
She commented: 'Year 8 here he goes! Doesn't look very happy!'
The posts were shared as families around the world took their children to their first day at school ahead of the new year starting.
Yesterday, the Duke of Cambridge quipped about his 'gang' of children during a chat with staff members of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' new £50k-a-year school as he dropped his children off for their first day yesterday.
The children attended a 'settling in afternoon' - an annual event to welcome new starters and their families to the school on the day before the new school term begins. The trio will officially start school today.
Arriving yesterday, the family strolled in a line, with Kate holding George and Louis' hands and William holding Charlotte's, to meet headmaster Jonathan Perry.
'Welcome to Lambrook,' Mr Perry told the children. 'It's lovely to have you with us. We're very excited for the year ahead.'
Shaking them each by the hand in turn, he asked 'Are you excited?' with all three chorusing 'Yes'. William remarked 'We're looking forward to it,' adding the children had 'lots of questions'.
The Duke and Duchess are beginning a new life in the country away from the goldfish bowl of their official London residence Kensington Palace which is being seen as a bid to put their children first and give them more freedom.
William and Kate had been known to have set their heart on outdoorsy prep school Lambrook, with its 52 acres of grounds, where fees will cost the couple in excess of £50,000 a year in total for their three youngsters.