I have two daughters, so I did get to do this and almost everything twice, 4 years apart. This first day of school have been etched in my memory forever. Especially, true because, my wife and I are both a big proponent of school system (yes, even American school system with all its flaws).

Just one thing I must say as a friend and fellow dad. This is time you might want to slowly step out and make her take the small steps on her own. Helicopter parenting is common and rampant everywhere, and before you know it, you might end up at least doing some of that.

Recently my 11 year old just came back from a 'sleep away' summer camp for 2 weeks. It was a big step for us parents. It was totally easy for her, and she can't stop talking about her 2 weeks yet. Her sister will do the same camp next year as a 9 year old! Lia, the elder, (as we call her these days!) will take a trip of her own to Italy for 12 days without parents next summer!

We are ready!

You will be ready too! Soon!

PS. Wonderful picture of Dad and Daughter!

I don't know from shinola about being a parent, but I do have some observations about school and success there.  First off, I think 'success' is way more than grades and 'progress' and that it's relative to each individual.  

I predict that smallsteps will succeed simply because she comes of good stock with parents that give a shit AND HAVE PROVED THEY GIVE A SHIT with her problems.  I had enough health problems (mostly self inflicted) that I knew at a visceral level that my parents had my back.  I think that's important.

I grew up mostly isolated.  Nearest kid my age was 2 miles away and that was a girl.  Ugggghhh.  That she turned out to be a really pretty girl didn't interest me at all for years, and then it was too late :)  So I don't think smallstep's relative isolation will necessarily work against her at all.

Worry and self depreciation are part of the human equation.  One thing I know is that you guys have ALWAYS made the best choice based on the information at hand.  That's a good trend line for anyone. 

I have a 5 year old little one myself who started school last year. I was surprised how strong they can be in these nerve wracking situations like starting school. Girls have a bit of metal about them that are lacking in boys. Having read the post I take it your little one was sick in her early years. Things are hard enough even when there is no sickness involved so I can only imagine how hard this was. All good now though I see. Hope daddy is good as well. 

Congratulations once again, today been her first days will be tough she will be happy at first because you walk her to school, and later  when you are about to leave then they issue begin, it happen to my nephew and his mum,
 Anyway training up a child is not an easy job, it is one of the toughest job,  the job that take the longest hours and yet it doesn't pay instantly, but good parenting always has his reward, because at some point in time, the child will be proud to say this are my parents. And that is the joy of every parent.
 Good job sir,

She will be loved by everyone in school because she is the type that likes been around people too. First day at school won't be easy to relate with others though but as time goes on she will adapt.

She'll be just like her uncle G-dog at school! Umm ok, maybe that's not a good thing considering I was a bit dumb. 🤣

Seriously though, it's another step on her journey and whilst it'll bring challenges for her, and you also, it's necessary. She'll be fine; she has a good nature and that'll place her in good stead. 

I still remember my first day of school

Your first day sounds like my first day. Probably lots have similar. Hope it goes well for her as I am  sure it will. It is a tough time for them. The Little Boom goes back to Pre-School next Wednesday and has professed many many times how he doesn't want to and he is sick of it now. I am like, fark, you have many more years of this twoddle to go!

When parents are always available to give a child the support he or she needs especially at the basic stage of life, it will go a long way in making that child outstanding in life affairs. Glad to know that smallsteps is getting the much  support she needs and I wish her an excellent spirit in her preschool journey and going further 👍

You guys are definitely good and caring parents and that walking to school photo certainly talks to my heart.

I will never forget my first day at school, as I got a big hiding. 
We did not have daycare and such things in my day and my mom walked me to school to start grade one.
The problem was that when my mom got back home, I was waiting for her. She grabbed me and started slapping and I screamed like a piglet and then she dropped me at the principal's office :)

My first day in grade I started at the principal's office and I visited his office frequently for cuts after that first day.

>  it was inconvenient and challenging in those early days

So there is that but it might also have been can you imagine if you accidentally killed your friend's kid because you accidentally fed her the wrong thing (or some other innocent event like well-meaning other adult that happened to be over at the time unknowingly handed them something they were anaphylactically allergic to).

Did she have a good first day? :)

>it was a rough start from a few months before she was born and for the first few years, and I am not sure if it was because of the circumstances...

No, it is the same for almost every parents because after a baby has been born, the life of parents is completely changed. It is kinda most of your time is not yours anymore, it is his or hers. If parents have grandparents nearby, thr situaiton might get easy.

I wish the Smalsteeps a succesful education life.

She's so cute ❤️, I'll be there in a couple of years :)