Talk

Well today is only the first day of the summer break for us, and it was soooooo nice to roll out of bed when I felt like it and I am only just having breakfast now.

If your DS is going to stay an only he is going to need to learn to play by himself. I don't do cars or anything like that. DS plays by himself/watches telly/we chat/cook/read/are about to go to the gym and then swimming.

Ask me again in August and my answer will probably be different!

Mine are starting full time next September 2010 and to be honest I'm dreading it! I'm sure that when the time comes, I'll soon get used to it and probably love the freedom (to do my ironing and cleaning uninterrupted -bliss! ) but at the moment the thought of handing them over to someone else 8:30 to 15:30 5 days a week makes me want to cry! I'll probably be the nightmare sobbing mother having to be prised off the school gates....

My DD isn't going til next yr and I'm already looking foreward to it. I too am no longer enthusiastic about dolls and prams and jigsaws etc etc (although I do rather like a bit of painting and sticking!).

I do love her and she is a lot of fun (and bloody hard work as you'll know if you've read any of my other posts on diff threads) but I can see she is going to love school.

... whats the betting that I'll be like pjmama though and be in tears when she does go!

When DS1 started school three years ago (three???!!!) I practically skipped back to the car but with DS2, who's just finishing Reception, I was really upset. DS1 is very demanding of my time in a way that DS2 isn't. Ds2 will play by himself for ages whilst DS1 just mithers constantly.

I was always pleased when mine reached school age, the youngest is in Reception now. Mine at 3-4 were very demanding, really because they wanted to play with other children all day long, so quality time with me was quite frustrating all round. I still like spending time with my dc (all primary age) but 3-4 year olds can be very hard work and with my younger two, all they wanted was to be with other children.

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Starbear I have an "only" 4yo boy and I work three days a week, day on, day off, day on etc. By the end of one day I am looking forward to my work day when he's at nursery! - and I do adore him and we get on very well, but like your he always wants me to do things with him. He will play by himself in the garden, for some reason, but inside he wants me to help with lego and drawing and train tracks non-stop. The only way I can get things done indoors is by letting him watch telly

When DS and DP have gone to nursery and work and I'm on my own (I work at home)... the feeling of solitude and just being able to sit and have a cup of tea and think in silence is amazing - in fact it keeps me sane. I feel guilty about it too but it is true.

Tried to get him interested in bugs..No. Tried to make an ice treasure thingy no... help me with the gardening no... Its only lego and cars for him. maybe we will make some cupcakes later. bye for now need to do some housework with the boy!!

don't feel guilty, just feel glad that he will probably enjoy reception if he wants a lot of company and lots going on around him. and you will still get to spend lots of time with him after school, weekends, holidays. The school day isn't that long.

I really enjoy parenting at the moment with 3 of primary age, it's less intense and frustrating, more fun really. Less of a grind.

Fennel thank you. I'm already looking forward to getting my chores done, then collecting him to do something fun before tea such as arts & craft or going to the park. normally the time I've laid it all out and he's interfered he makes a mess for 10 mins then loses interest sure it will improve with age
I wouldn't mind hearing all the kids activities that YOU enjoy so it isn't such a chore. I can pick up some tips then.

I agree with all Fennels sentiments!

We do all sorts really. lots of outdoor activiites - cycling, camping, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing, but things like reading chapter books rather than tedious picture books, playing more interesting games like chess and junior scrabble rather than lotto, doing more complex craft and cooking, just hanging out really, without so much of the toddler/preschooler stress.

And activities last longer. It used to take about an hour to fill the paddling pool and they'd play in it for 10 minutes, such a lot of effort for a little time. same with craft and painting and many other activities. These days they will play all day with one thing. On a good day.

I'm really looking forward to Sept too. DD1 who will be 4.6 is starting school and DD2 who will be 2.1 is going to preschool for 2 mornings. At long last I'll have 6 hours a week without either of them! Having been a SAHM for 4 1/2 years that sounds like true luxury to me! Might even get to go to the loo on my own.....!

ha runoutofideas can fully sympathise with wanting to go to the loo alone , my youngest dd is due to start playschool also in sept i will have 3 mornings to myself a week & I've been at SAHM for 11 years now , don't know what i am going to do with myself

Hmmm - I think the hours I'm planning to spend finally getting fit, doing online studying, getting my house in a state fit for human habitation, meeting friends, shopping etc adds up to far more than the 2 short morning sessions - but anyway, I can dream!

very interesting thread
I am a great believer in nursery 'school'

all mine go to a school type nursery for this dinal year at home.

winter borns especially are no fun in that final year at home...need a lot of socialising

dc5 will not start school until september 2010 and is great to have home at the moment - if a wee bit draining BUT I know that come christmas he will have matured a lot and be ready for school and that is a difficult time so i pre empt it!

I also believe in summer born babies ( esp 'subsequents') being easier to have as they do not reach this stage too soon

when i realised this i timed them better

Interesting thread especially as we had a visit from our new reception teacher yesterday.

As a SAHM it made me realise how much time I have spent focusing on my firstborn and neglected my own needs!!!!

MrsSpringsteen Ds goes to private nursery while I'm at work 3 days a week. It's too expensive for me to send him the other two morning but he does need company and I'm busy trying get the house in order.
fufflebum So true. I give to much time to Ds needs & for that matter DH as I only work three days. Feeling very grumpy as DH thinks he does enough but he doesn't Two days off while Ds is in school will be all mine, mine I tell you! I can still do house work but heaven forbid go to the gym without guilty feelings!