Monday 19 September 2016

The 1st Week at School!

So we are survivors. We got through the first week at school.....whoop!! Go us!! It was always going to be a funny week, we're finding our feet, Alfie's finding his and a whole load of new experiences for us all to get used to. Don't worry..... I won't be doing weekly updates, imagine how tedious that would be but I did think it would be nice to round up his week and I'll probably do sporadic updates throughout the school year.

If you read my starting school post you will know that there were some natural anxieties and concerns from myself with this big step. My hubby thought I was being silly but I'm fairly confident in saying that I'm sure I'm not the only one that was a bit anxious for the 1st week. I really tried not to let this rub off on Alfie and I don't think it did, I'm actually really proud of him as his first week has gone pretty well......it didn't start off overly promising though I have to say!


Monday - Unfortunately I was attending a funeral today so was unable to do the first drop off, I wasn't overly concerned though as the first 2 days were only a couple of hours from 1:15 - 3:15. Elarna was at nursery so we had a few hours with Alfie before he went for the afternoon. Alfie was absolutely fine in the morning and seemed to be quite looking forward to going. We had been talking about starting school for a while in the run up so he knew what to expect. Hubby text me once he dropped him off and it was reassuring to read that he was fine, no tears and was more than happy to be left to play with the other children.



Tuesday - Today was to consist of a 3 hour session at school including lunch, he had to be there from 12:00 - 3:15, Tuesday is my day off so I was looking forward to being able to take him and pick him up. Elarna is also at home with me so she would be joining us for the school run, Daddy had the week booked off work so he would be able to help out too (thanks goodness!). One of the main things bothering me is faffing about with Elarna and getting Alfie to school on time. As it is such a small, village school we have to park a little way from it and walk through the church yard to get there, this is all well and good but I'm definitely  going to have to put Elarna in a pushchair when I'm on my own to make it a bit easier.  Anyway, I digress, so we dropped him off with no issues and he met up with his buddy (this buddy system is really good I have to say) and we left him to go into class. When we picked him we were actually spoken to by his teacher to inform us he had eaten nothing at all (not good but we weren't overly surprised as he can be a bit unsure in new situations), we were a bit disappointed to hear he hadn't eaten anything but felt we perhaps needed to encourage him a bit for the next day. The teacher felt he was maybe a little over whelmed. As he hadn't eaten at school he was an actual little devil when we got him home......definitely didn't want this happening again. 



Wednesday - Today I was at work so it was down to Daddy to take him, today was an 8:40-1:15 (with lunch) day.  No tears again on drop off (phew) and when hubby picked him up he was told that he was like a different boy to the previous day! He ate all of his lunch, sat with his buddy and a new friend he'd been talking too and then played out on the field with the bigger boys and girls. Yey!! Much more reassuring to hear he'd had a better day.

Thursday - This session was the same length of time as Wednesday and as this is also my day off I was happy that I could do the drop off and pick up. Today the drop off was a bit different to when I dropped him off on Tuesday, we arrived at 8:30 and had to wait for the playground gates to open before taking him into the classroom. He was a little bit more subdued and reluctant, although I think I made things a bit more difficult for him as I was faffing around with trying to take his communication book out of his book bag and put it in the tray while Alfie was trying to show me where to put his book bag in said tray! He then showed me where his water bottle belonged and then his teacher asked him to pick his name from the table and put it in the pencil pot which he did. When we were about to leave he came to the gate and wanted cuddles from Daddy and me which we did but he was starting to look a little upset. We pointed him in the direction of the sandpit and dinosaurs and made our retreat quickly. We could see as we were walking away that he was ok though which was good. When we picked him up he was fine, had eaten lunch and seemed to have had a good day. 



Friday - Today would be Alfie's first full day at school, 8:40 - 3:15, I felt he was ready to tackle the whole day definitely. We were starting to see little friendships form and hearing some names of boys and girls he had been talking too. We hadn't heard  much of what he'd been doing during the day, he didn't seem to want to disclose that ha! So my husband dropped him off and today there were a few tears, not sure why perhaps the end of the week and a bit tired? Who knows. They have a little commendation assembly at 2:55 so I text hubby to remind him to pop along which he did. Apparently Alfie sat with his buddy (who is a girl and looks like she is keeping in check, ha!), he was a bit fidgety according to Adi and there was a bit of bum shuffling going in but his buddy looked like she was telling to him sit still which I thought was cute! His day had once again well though and it seemed like a good end to the week.



Overall the week has gone well, thank goodness - it could have been awful I guess but I'm so pleased it seemed to go pretty well. He's been tired in the evenings and over the weekend which is to be expected. Next week will be my first time doing the Tuesday and Thursday drops off by myself, I'm hoping it won't be too stressful getting them both sorted on my own so we'll see how it goes - watch this space!

How is everyone else getting on with either their children starting school or starting back? Please tell me the tiredness and crankiness improves over time!

35 comments:

  1. awe look at him asleep, what a cutie! It is a huge adjustment for them and for us so well done getting through it! He is beautiful #marvellousmondays

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  2. It sounds like your first week at school went well for you both! I bet he is shattered - it's such a shock to the system! My little one is nearly two, so we've got a while to go yet. Fingers crossed that this week goes just a smoothly! #MarvMondays

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  3. Really nice idea to have the full day on the Friday so that they can go home and crash! That lunch menu sounds amazing!!!

    http://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. I think it makes sense to start with a staggered week. When Evangeline started last year day one was 8.50-3.15 and that was it! Luckily she was used to doing 8-6pm at nursery but still it's a big change and can be so full on! Well done for surviving the first week! #marvmondays

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  5. Oh it sounds like he has had a great week! How lovely that there were no tears each day - it's heartbreaking when that happens! The buddy system sounds like a fab idea! I bet you all enjoyed your weekend relaxing after the busy week! #MarvMondays

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  6. Don't worry the crankiness definitely improves! It seems like five minutes ago my son started school and now he's just started year 3! Where does the time go?! #MarvMondays

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  7. That first week can be very stressful for all, but it looks like you handled it well. He looks so sweet asleep. #bestandworst

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  8. Glad his first week went well...my 2 year old can't wait to go to school, she asks every day! #bestandworst

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  9. It looks like he's wetting in just fine. I remember when the big one started and she was in bed by half 6 most nights as it wore her out more not quite sure why as she was used to being at nursery for longer!! #bestandworst

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  10. sounds like he has settled in really well. I found my kids where all tired by the end of the week, but they soon get used to it #bestandworse

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  11. Wow sounds like he had a great first week at school and I am sure he will soon get used to it lovely, thank you for hosting! #BestAndWorst

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  12. It sounds like he's settled in really well and I love how the school have done a phased introduction to help the children adjust. This is such a lovely post to capture Alfie's first week and something which I'm sure you'll all look back on with fondness in time to come. Dawn x #bestandworst

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  13. awww, I am so pleased he has settled in and enjoying it. The first full day my boy was knackered X #bestandworst

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  14. What a great first week. It's such an adjustment to make, I like that he gradually got more hours during the week. Fingers crossed it carries on as well as it started. #bestandworst

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  15. As an American, I love how his week slowly progressed from very little time to a full day giving him time to adjust. It sounds like he had a successful first week of school! :)

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  16. Ah bless him! It's nice when they settle them in gently, then it's not so much of a shock for them!

    #BestandWorst

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  17. Sounds like he did fab! Glad he started eat again after that first lunch, probably was just getting to know what the dinner hall was life etc #bestandworst

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  18. Ahh look at how peaceful he is sleeping. I imagine by the end of the week your face looked just as relaxed for surviving the first week of School. Well done Mummy x

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  19. Aw this is so lovely to hear. I'm so glad he had a great first week. :)
    #bestandworst

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  20. Ah I'm so glad he has done so well for his first week. It must be such a big change but we obviously get used to it!! #bestandworst xx

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  21. Ahhh how lovely that it went so well!! I'm so glad, that must be a weight off your mind :) #bestandworst x

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  22. Hooray, what a milestone! I remember Seb cried for weeks, maybe even months when I left him at nursery school. Once I'd gone out the door, apparently he stopped crying and had a ball! I'm glad it's all gone well. It's such a big step and as a parent I remember feeling quite anxious about it. Seb's now in his last year and I honestly can't believe how fast it's gone. *sob* Enjoy every minute. Tor xx #bestnworst

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  23. Aww bless him, well done Alfie! It sounds like he had a lovely first week. I'd be surprised if there werent tears at all during the first week to be honest. We had a few tears from our little one on the morning that I went to watch her swimming lessoon - parents can go and it was all fine until we all started to leave. Cue tears and about half of the class crying. Our little one has had a great first two weeks and seems to have settled really well. This morning was the first time that she said she didnt want to go as she was tired from a late night (tut, tut) and couldnt get up in the morning. She was absolutely fine when I went to pick her up though and as usual had a great day. I think the thing that has surprised me the most is how hungry she is after school, I've never known anything like it. Makes you wonder what they do with them! lol Emily #bestandworst

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  24. It sounds like his first week was a big success. Well done Alfie and Mummy! He will soon get into a routine I'm sure. I was just thinking about the first year in school - it's such a turnaround for them. They go in as little babies really, and come out as fully fledged school children! Hope it continues to go so well. #BestandWorst

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  25. Glad things went so well. My son started pre-school last week and it was my first school mom experience so I know the anxiety. You just don't know how they'll do until they're there!

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  26. Glad he is settling in well. My son never wanted to tell me anything about his day either and still doesn't now he's in Year 3, I'll just have to keep on guessing! x
    #bestandworst

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  27. Congratulations on surviving the first week - that's no mean feat.
    Staggered entry seems to work really well at our school too. My daughter has now reached the giddy heights of year 1. The receptions all look so small by comparison!
    Good luck for week 2.
    Big love, L
    xxx
    #bestandworst

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  28. Our school does the buddy system too and its great. Megan often speaks of hers and how they look out for her, its so lovely! Im sad to hear he didn't eat anything at school though, that is worrying. Hope it improves and he settles well. How crazy hes in school!!! x

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  29. Aw that's so nice they give you pictures of the first week! The school sounds very gentle and getting parents involved compared to my boy's school. He's started reception too, but it's more like get them straight into it, 8.55 - 3.15 from day 1, drop them off and go! He's been fine though, so happy and seems to have made friends with a girl too! xx
    #MarvMondays

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  30. I've got all this to come so am watching how it's all done. Great to read about his week and know that school is going well. #bestandworst

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  31. The tiredness does improve! May take a few weeks to get used to though, that's how my girls were. The girls loved their first week back at school.
    #MarvMondays

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  32. Interesting to see that they start off in short sessions. My two are a way off school yet but I didn't realise that! I suppose the first week back was always going to be busy! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo

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  33. I'm pleased it went well, I can imagine my boy not eating his lunch too as it's such a huge change. I bet you're relieved though and it must have been nice to have your husband off work that week. I'm really nervous about my son starting nursery and I can only imagine how much more anxious I'll be when he starts school. I hope his school do those different hours for the first week too, it's a good way for them all to settle in x #bestandworst

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  34. The tiredness and crankiness does improve - don't worry! #bestandworst

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  35. So pleased it went well for you. I'm still dreading this time next year!! :( #bestandworst

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