Am I being ridiculous?

[CloudC]

My son is starting primary 1 in August and I am really anxious about it.

I mean will someone always be watching him in the playground? How will he know what to buy in the canteen? Will he definitely be safe?

I have tried to talk through my worries with my DH and other mums at the school visit, but they don't seem to be worried at all, which makes me hold back from explaining just how anxious I am.

Every time I think about it (and I'm sure the pregnancy hormones are not helping here), I just feel like crying.

Am I being silly?

[IndigoBell]

Luckily you are being silly.

He's in P1. School will look out for him. He will definitely be safe.

They have staff on duty in the playground. Does your school have a sep playground for the little ones? most do.

I don't know how the Scottish system works - but they don't normally get much choice about what to buy in the canteen. It's normally 'meat or vegetarian' type option.

[reikizen]

Yes, in the nicest possible way, you are! I take it that he has not been to nursery or any kind of childcare provision until now? In which case the transition for you both will be a landmark in your lives. But it is a normal one, and it does sound like you have an abnormal level of anxiety about it. Have you been to a 'welcome' meeting at the school? If they don't have one, maybe ask to have someone show you round so they can explain the daily routines to you. I do know that they try to encourage independance so if you can make sure he can wipe his bum, wash his hands etc you will be helping him a lot.
It depends what you mean by safe. If you mean will he fall over, fall out with other children, get hit, have toys taken off him then all the above will happen. If you mean will a tsunami overwhelm the school playground whilst aliens form an attack squad then this is less likely.

[starrychime]

We're in Scotland Cloud. For lunchtime they usually give out sheets with menus rotating week 1 and week 2. You can see what choices there are each day - usually a sandwich, a veggie option and something meaty with maybe soup and frozen yoghurt and milk or water. I used to look at these each morning and tell DD what to get (drummed it in on the way to school "You like macaroni don't you, get that" etc) - gave up after a while as she started choosing what she wanted anyway The dinner ladies will be lovely. The P1s will probably get to go in before the rest of the classes and get settled. If you pay daily and have to give him money then he will probably lose it sometimes but they will feed him and send a slip home and you send in extra the next day with the slip. You might be able to stay in the playground till bell goes in the morning if you don't have to rush away for work - some schools have playground assistants at mornings as well as breaks and lunchtime, some don't have them in the morning (ours doesn't) but if you can stay till the bell goes that's fine. They are indoctrinated pretty quickly I think and soon learn the routine. If he gets hurt in the playground someone will take him to the office for a plaster, will he have a buddy? They will make sure he has someone to play with and look out for him for a while. I will not make light of your worries - I was exactly the same but after a few months it will seem like he's been doing it for ever.
Hope this helps

[CloudC]

Thanks for the replies. He has been in nursery 8am-6pm 3 days a week since he was 6 months old, but the change from a homely nursery for children who are 6 months - 5 years, to a large school for 5-11 year olds, just seems scary. I worry no-one will know him, and no-one will be looking out for him. I am reassured by your comments though.

I'll get used to the routines. I have nothing to worry about. I am just being silly. (This will have to be my mantra for a while). He is more independant and confident than a lot of boys his age, so I know he will be fine. He is very excited to start school, and luckily he doesn't seem to have picked up on my anxiety at all! :)

[swash]

I think it is normal for the mum to be anxious. I felt real grief when dd went to school, and worried a lot about her (still do). They do struggle with little things - like asking to go to the toilet etc - so I don't think you are being silly.

I would just build his independence in whatever ways you can before he goes. Nursery will hopefully be doing this too, so he will have a much easier transition than kids who are not used to being in social groups.

Transitions are tough - and school runs are tougher. But you do get used to it bit by bit! Good luck.