Monday 12 September 2016

The Big Step.....Starting School *sob*

The day is nigh. It's nearly time. I can't quite believe it. How has my son suddenly become old enough to be going to school. A school boy for goodness sake ok, ok I know that reception is pretty similar to pre-school and the same curriculum but still..........he's going to school, wahhhh.

The uniform is laid out, new, smart black shoes are awaiting little feet, the book bag is empty....... but just for the moment, labels are to be put in and the lunchbox is ready for a packed lunch. I have to admit to being in complete denial about this in the last few months, even when I put the school choices down I felt that this day was so far away it would never arrive and now, on the 12th of September my boy is heading his way into school. The next step in his life. 

From lunchtime Alfie will be a school boy, although over the next couple of days he's only in for a couple of hours but by Friday he is in full time. 


We've had the meetings, the settling in sessions and we've had the home visit from Alfie's teacher and teaching assistant. We've had the reassurances that all will be ok, he'll be fine and he's ready for school. He's still so little though, he's barely 4 and still my little baby boy. I remember holding him as a newborn, snuggling him and never even imagining that this day would be here so quickly. I'm not going to be one of those mums that sobs at the gate though, I'll save my tears for the car - if I cry, I'm not much of a crier to be honest, I'll be anxious but will try not to show it. I do think he's ready and I do think he'll do well but it is a HUGE step for such a little person and a pretty big step for me too.


I have such mixed emotions about it, I'm excited with a big dollop of worry mixed in too, he's only ever been used to going to nursery and pre-school twice a week, this was something that was important to me when he started as I knew that I didn't want him in childcare full time from a very young age. He has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months but school still feels such a huge step for such a young child. 


We forget that 4 years really isn't that old. They still so reliant on us. In other countries they don't start school until much later so why we do we have them in school when they still only 4? There is so much pressure on parents that they must be toilet trained, out of nappies and able to dress themselves, able to use a knife and fork and can feed themself. Alfie can do this but some children may not be able to and if they can't then what?

Although Alfie is fairly good at dressing himself and managing independently, when it comes to things such as eating I do get a bit worried while he's at school. He's such a slow eater and often needs prompting to use his knife and fork and to eat a bit quicker so I wonder who is going to sit with him and encourage him to do this? Obviously I'm aware he won't starve but I am a bit concerned that he won't eat much in the time that they have. He's also starting a school where he knows noone, he's got to make all new friends again which I feel awful about. He's made some solid friendships at pre-school and due to the situation of his current nursery/pre-school the children in his room are just going to a variety of different school and sadly the one little boy that was supposed to be going to Alfie's school is now going elsewhere. 


I know he'll be fine, I know he'll make new friends and I know he's going to love school but I am really going to miss my 2 days in the week with him when it is usually just myself, Alfie and Elarna. It's going to take us a while to get used to school runs, juggling a child at school and a toddler at nursery as well as working. It's also going to take me a very long time and a whole lot of resentment having to go away in school holidays and pay the astronomical prices!! It's also going to be really strange just having Elarna to look after! 

I anticipate a rough few weeks, lots of changes ahead and things for all of us to become accustomed to. I expect tears, tantrums and confusion, I'm ready for it and I'm ready to help Alfie take the first few steps into this new and exciting adventure. 

I'll be ready to hold his hand and say a brief goodbye as he starts in his new class. The last 4 years have been incredible, I hope we've set him up for school and I hope he flourishes. I'm excited to see what the next few months hold for him and to see how he grows while in reception.

So to anyone who is in the same scenario, good luck and I hope your child settles in well. Any tips or advice?
Best of Worst

26 comments:

  1. Ah he looks so grown up and excited to be on his way to big school! My Alfie is still quite a few years off, but I do worry a little as he will only just be 4 when he goes. I'm sure Alfie will have a great time - good luck (to you both!) #marvmondays

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  2. Aw he looks so grown up! I really hope all went well for him but I'm sure it did and they looked after him well. I can imagine this in another year and it is crazy (will be taking her out of school for hols in these few years trust me!!) xx #mravmondays

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  3. Arrgh, I shouldn't have read this - I cried when Theo grew out of his first size nappies, I don't even want to think about him starting school!!! I work in early years (when I'm not pushing our babies) - and be assured that when you ask Alfie what he's been doing at school and he says 'nothing' or 'I cant remember', its what 90% of Reception children say! They are just absorbing so much stuff they're still processing it after bedtime. Hope he's enjoying it and settling in well xx #bestandworst

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  4. Good luck Alfie. I'm sure he'll be just fine and soon settle in and learn to keep up with his friends. #bestandworst

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  5. Ah bless him, lovely photos. I'd be feeling exactly the same as you. My son went into his second year of pre-school this week which was emotional!
    I agree with you on the subject of how young kids start school, there is a huge difference in a child who turned 4 in the August and a child who turns 5 in early September and I can't help but think that it's too young. #bestandworst

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  6. Aww bless him. You're so right of course, they are still so young. I started looking at schools for Dexter last night and he's a summer baby too so he will not long have turned 4 when he goes. I'm soooo gunna cry! Hope he gets on ok. I'm sure he'll make lots of friends.

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  7. Bless him, and you. It's a funny old time isn't it and its affecting me more emotionally than I thought it would to be honest. Just a lot to get used to for all of us I think! Hope all is still going well for you and your little man xxx

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  8. Bless him, and you. It's a funny old time isn't it and its affecting me more emotionally than I thought it would to be honest. Just a lot to get used to for all of us I think! Hope all is still going well for you and your little man xxx

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  9. Ah I hope he's getting on OK. My son has always been fine at school and has gone into year 1 no problem. My daughter however hates preschool and I'm dreading what she'll be like when she starts reception next September! x #bestandworst

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  10. Ah he looks so proud in his uniform! Hope he had a brilliant start, they really do grow up so quickly!

    #BestandWorst

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  11. In my nine months of being Peachy`s mom I have found that watching babies grow up is the most beautiful and painful experience. On the one hand it fills me with such pride to see my little girl grow and thrive. On the other hand I suppress a sob while I fold up the little outfits she already outgrew. Weren`t these outfits too big only yesterday? Didn`t I just bring her home from the hospital? #bestandworst

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  12. I think these things are much harder on us than they are on them. Mine just started all day kindergarten. Its not an easy adjustment. #bestandworst

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  13. He looks so cute in his uniform. Im sure first day was fine for both of you. #Bestandworst

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  14. Awww he looks so proud and ready for the big adventure. I hope it went well for him X #bestandworst

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  15. Good luck to you both! I hope it's been going well. It's such a worry. I'll be a mess when it's L's time #bestandworst

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  16. I remember this day with my own son and looking back on pictures now I can't believe just how small he was. I do think they start school too early, academically he was definitely ready, but emotionally I'm not so sure. He adapted really well though and has come on so much in the last few years. My daughter has only just turned two but I'm already dreading that she will be in preschool next year and school the year after. It all happens far too fast. Hope he has settled in ok x
    #Bestandworst

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  17. Aw, such lovely pics. You're right, four years old really is so young still. I can't imagine sending Taylor in just two years...but I'm sure he will settle in so well and make new friends in no time. I think when you're that young you don't have the same fears that we do - I for one definitely don't remember my first day at school. If only we had pictures like this to remember it by. Good luck Alfie! xx #bestandworst

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  18. Awww such a lovely post. I hope Alfie had a lovely two days at school so far. Its crazy how quickly they grow up, I still remember when our little one was really little..it seems like yesterday almost :-) Emily #bestandworst

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  19. He looks quite the little school boy! I hope he had a great day and a good first term ahead. I have my first going to Uni this weekend and it feels very like the first day of primary all over again, except he won't come home to tell me about it at night which is already breaking my heart despite being happy for him. #bestandworst

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  20. Totally can relate as my baby boy started reception last week. He'll always be my baby, I was crying so much last week at how fast time flies. But this week has been better, though I can't believe we have to do this every week - I miss the freedom of just us staying in bed and watching telly. Wah! xx
    #MarvMondays

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  21. Oh bless! He looks so sweet on his uniform.
    I agree, 4 is just SO young specially when they have only just turned 4!!
    #Sundaybest

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  22. Awwww look at that proud face. I am not looking forward to my little lady's starting nursery. School i can't bare thinking about it! #SundayBest

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  23. I hope it went and is going well! We were lucky as BB was so ready for it, she didn't bat an eyelid #bestandworst

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  24. Oh bless his heart, he looks so grown up! I hope it's all gone well. I feel lucky that my son is a November baby so he will be almost 5 when he starts reception, it doesn't seem such a big jump then. Thanks for linking up to #SundayBest x

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  25. Oh bless him, he looks so adorable. I hope it went well. I was emotional enough about pre school, I'll be a basket case when big school rolls around! Thanks for joining us at #SundayBest, hope to see you again tomorrow! x

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