Not to be in floods of tears at the prospect of DD's first day at school tomorrow?

[BlueyDragon]

I'm really excited for her, and it's a huge step in her life, and a big change for all of us. But a number of my friends/acquaintances with Reception age children seem to be going to drop their LOs off armed with Kleenex's output for the whole year. Should I be being more emotional about this?

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

I CAN'T BLOODY WAIT!!!!!!!
DD is my last and after 14 years of juggling little ones/work/life I cannot wait for a wee bit of FREEDOM!

[Columbia999]

I didn't get emotional about it, it's a new phase in their lives, they're not being sent down t'pit!

[GetAwayFromHerYouBitch]

You can only feel how you feel.

I was excited/nervous/proud/bloody relieved/ sad when mine went to school.

Whilst I understand people feeling upset and a bit bereft, I do worry about people who are grief-stricken and the effect on their children if they convey this to their children.

[PreviouslyonLost]

You may be surprised BlueyDragon...DC1, DH, and I have been so excited and positive about 'starting school' (Scottish, so it's all over bar the shouting a couple of weeks ago) All the parents were so chuffed, then as all the DC's turned to wave when they went into the building I swear a bit of grit got in my eyes...was a lovely moment

Enjoy.

[Shakirasma]

YANBU. That is exactly how you should be feeling.

I on the other hand am distraught because my little boy has SN and I don't know how he will cope.

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

I'm excited for him and sad for myself. I spent far too much of his time as a small child hideously depressed and it's brought it home that I'll never get that time of my, or his life back.

My friend is Australian. When her friend's DS had his first day they gathered them all together in the assembly hall with the parents. When the kids had filed in to the classroom the head stood up and invited all the parents to the dinner hall for a glass of champagne .

[heather1980]

i can't wait, the last 7 weeks have dragged sooooo much.
ds started preschool today and dd starts reception tomorrow and they are both so ready, they are one of the eldest in their years (both being october babies).
there was a mum dropping her ds this afternoon in the preschool bawling her eyes out, me, i practically ran out of the door incase they changed their minds and sent him home

[PreviouslyonLost]

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch ' I do worry about people who are grief-stricken and the effect on their children if they convey this to their children'

...saw this at 'introduction days' before Summer holidays, and it has continued through to actually starting school. Now I hear...'DC is saying that they are beginning to find school is not as bad as they parents thought' a couple of weeks in.

Shakirasma I hope that your DS adores going to school; independence, friends, fun

[PreviouslyonLost]

MissBetsyTrotwood Champagne reception?! I want some of that

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

Me too! I don't hold out much hope though here in sunny Hackney!!

[PreviouslyonLost]

...which is not to denigrate your experience of your DS's early months...we all make a complete arse of bringing up our children at some point in their lives. Phillip Larkin's 'They fuck you up your Mum and Dad' is a good starting point I feel. Any kind of depression can be soul destroying...but your DS will love you unreservedly no matter what.

Life is what's ahead of you, Should'a, Would'a, Could'a...is a hiding to nothing. Happy and healthy is what I'm aiming for...much love to you.

[aquashiv]

I have two starting tomorrow I shall be doing an Irish Jig when they go maybe even have a bottle of champagne. I do not understand the way other parents say things like oh what will I do with my days now? Eh I have so much to do everyday I can hardly think straight. I love my children but more than anything I love seeing them grow up.

[GetAwayFromHerYouBitch]

I agree.

Betsy - whilst not as severe as yours sounds, the years I've had with my DS1 since he's been at school have made up for the difficult years before

[PreviouslyonLost]

MissBetsyTrotwood Tesco Cava at least then?...I shall be bringing this champagne issue to the local PTA asap. Even if we've missed out this year, still have another DC starting next year, shall report back when the corks a poppin' boring first day arrives.

[SmethwickBelle]

I think it depends on how you think your child will cope with it. I have a strong feeling that DS1 (only 4 in July) will find it overwhelming, he certainly did at the intro day, and new situations really do phase him. So I am anxious for him, trying to keep a lid on it but I am anxious. I wouldn't call myself a dramatic person, or an especially clingy mother normally

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

Shall we all set up a free school? Mumsnet Academy? With champagne quaffing by parents on day 1 one of the tenets of our philosophy of education?

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch and PreviouslyonLost it seems as though this September will be an exciting start for us all. He's starting school and my therapy is working wonders - we're both learning!

Here's to autumn 2011!

[Kladdkaka]

When my daughter started she couldn't get in fast enough. Got really narked at me for trying to escort her in. All the other mums got to go in and settle them down, I got left at the gate. :(

[BlueyDragon]

Previously, I wept buckets when I left her at nursery for the first time, but then I was going back to work and she was 6 months old. This time I don't feel as guilty is different, it's about her and not me. I reserve the right to find a piece of grit in my eye though . Particularly after I've been at Betsy's Cava.

I shall stick with being excited. Hope all goes well for you and your LOs.

[PreviouslyonLost]

BlueyDragon It's all milestones in LO's lives, grit notwithstanding. I tried to find the positive in it all. I'm grateful that DC1 is going to school and LOVING it...some folk like Shakirasma have a whole other kettle of fish to deal with. All I can say is fight like hell for what your DC's need, not what other people tell you they need.

I'm sure we'd all be happy with a glass of fizz to cheer our offspring into the melting pot/lottery that is School...so bottoms up and Bonne Chance to all new P1's. Don't forget to take pictures/Kleenex as required

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Double Whammy.

One is starting Nursery and the other Reception - ON THE SAME DAY

[StarlightMcKenzie]

And the RECEPTION one has SN.

I feel awful that I am not ever going to have the tears of my children starting because the anxiety over ds and his needs and the problems we've had up until now that I just want him settled asap so I can get some sleep.

DD doesn't even get a peep into my emotions, poor love. She'll just go to nursery and damn well be okay or else.

[GetAwayFromHerYouBitch]

Starlight - I have worried more about the first than I ever will about the second, so I know a little of what you mean (and the first doesn't have SN).

[Francagoestohollywood]

No, I never got emotional at their first day of nursery/school etc. I have been nervous, happy, proud, but never sad or teary.
I did cry loads on their last day at nursery though. And I cry a lot at shows, Christmas plays etc.

[PreviouslyonLost]

StarlightMcKenzie...that does sound like a tough situation.

Just imagine for a minute tho'...DS goes to school and it opens a whole new window on the world for him, DD is a resilient little cookie and being in Nursery gives her lots of messy paint/water/learning opportunities.

Feck MN rules ....here's Hugs, and and more Hugs...I hope you and DC's get through such a milestone day with some happy blubbing at least

[youarekidding]

I had to be positive and excited today as poor DS felt very worried in junior school playground. He is only just 7yo (2 weeks ago) and some of the 11/12 yo are really tall.

Progress though as 3 months ago he point blank refused to accept he had to change schools.

I work though in a school so for me it wasn't sadness and go home to empty house, but drop him off, big it up, chuck his emergency meds kit at reception and floor it to work.

He said he felt sick all morning but had a good day. Thing is I'm a ccaaahhhh. I just tell him he has 4 years there so might as well make an effort to enjoy it.