40 years of school ends today.

One of my DGC too!

Do you live near the older ones?

There is always the possibility of DGC school runs...

We had our kids close together so our school journey was shorter than most. I was absolutely delighted when it finished. I found it a chore, even though they loved their school. They’re at university now and I still have a skip in my step when I realise I never have to do a school run or go to school for an event ever again!

Onwards and upwards for us. Hope you adapt soon OP.

My sI’m n just read that Year 9. How funny…

I have finished 25 years last week with the end of A levels
a real sense of freedom can’t wait for a term time holiday
what’s hard is the empty nest coming soon not the end of school drudgery

No need to grieve too much perhaps - I felt like you but I now take my grandkids to and from school on a frequent basis. So, it's all started again - the circle of life!

Wow this blows my mind slightly! Your oldest is essentially the same age as me (couple of years younger) and school feels like a very very distant memory.

I'm interested in your experiences of being a young verses older mum - I'd guess with your first child you were one of the youngest and with your last one of the oldest? Did you have doubts around having a child in your mid 40s?

If I were you I'd book an amazing term time holiday and revel in how cheap it is 😂

I did a Dutch course aged 50, and even the basic level I have gets me a long way in the Netherlands or Flemish Belgium. Also gets some interesting responses as to where I am from- usual guess is a French speaking Belgian.

Hope you enjoy it should you choose to learn the language.

Well done, that has got to be worth celebrating.

I have done 22 years so far and I will have done 35 years when my youngest finishes! He’s only in reception now so a few years to go.
There is 21 years between my oldest and youngest child!

I started school in 1987 and my sister finished in 2008, DM had 21 years of it and that felt like a big gap to me, 40 is pretty good going!

DS moves up to secondary school in the summer, I think I'll miss his primary more than he will.

I bet they ALL had to read A Bloody Inspector Calls, though OP.

At least you'll never have to 'test' them on that again.

I'm being glib, but honestly, you've reached the end of an era, but not the end of being a Mum - this feeling will pass.

(Unlike An Inspector Calls, which I fear will be part of the curriculum until the sky falls).

Wow that’s amazing! Not just the sheer number of years, but that you’ve had babies at such a range of ages.

OMG OP what do you mean? You’re FREE! Now you can enjoy other things - your garden, your hobbies! The kids still exist and you’re relationship with them as adults will continue but no more being confined to school holiday trips, no more uniforms, no more bloody parents evening

Wow that’s a big milestone. No wonder you feel a bit bereft!

I started school in 1985 as well and my own DS finished in 2020. I found it odd as well not having a child in school and it was just the 1!!! I think Covid and exams being cancelled also had some effect as my one and only child never took GCSEs!

Congratulations OP on this huge milestone 🏅

Our first one started in 1995 and youngest finished last year. It is the oddest feeling having none of them at home and despite how long it all took it really does seem to have flashed by.
The only young children we ja e round now are the grandchildren- and that's weird in itself!!

Hats off to you OP, that is some achievement.
I’m going to a school reunion this weekend and have school friends who are already grandmothers in their mid 40s and doing the school run for their GC after years of doing it for their own DC who then had their own kids when they were barely out of school. I feel exhausted for my friends. DS will be going to school on his own from September and I can’t wait!!

My eldest started in 2016 and her younger bother will finish (assuming he stays on post 16) in 2032. It seems like a long time but it seems the years start to go faster as they grow older.

Yes, I certainly didn't miss those ridiculous emails!!

I remembering being quite wistful when my second (and last) child finished primary school. It was a village school, I knew everyone there, especially after a few years as chair of the PTA. It was a big part of our life and many of the friends that I made through that school still are.

However, I don't remember feeling wistful at all really when he finished secondary school. I had a much more distant relationship to the school, which was further away, and didn't know many people there very well at all. I didn't transport them to school, rarely went in for events etc and left most organization for my kids to sort out for themselves. Obviously you feel the way you feel, but I'm surprised how many people say they felt bereft/lost etc by the change. I'd understand it more if it was about the children leaving home, but that doesn't seem to be what you are saying. You are still just as much their mum when school has finished! And there is so so so much more to your life and to your family life than school stuff.

And if (unlike me) you are close to other parents etc at secondary school, then won't you stay in touch.

I still work on an academic year basis though as I work for a University. Maybe that is a relevant difference? I don't know.

It was a great day for me when my youngest finally left school. I was so done with uniforms, sports kits, laundry, paying for trips, the constant emails schools send out, parents evenings, the whole shebang. I don’t even know when schools are on holidays now and it’s a great feeling.

I found this so strange too, when my youngest finished secondary school I worked out how long I'd been living my life in terms and was amazed.

I was also amazed a couple of years later that I started putting my granddaughters term dates in the diary how quickly I got used to the change.

My eldest left school the same time youngest was Home Educated.
For me it was a huge relief, a sense of freedom and never looked back.

My eldest started school in 1994 and youngest will finish in 2032 so not far off 😂 I've got grandchildren the same age, younger and older than my youngest so can't see it he school run ending even then 😂

I only have one child but I felt very lost when he finished school.

I think you need to accept that that part of your life is done with and you need to give yourself permission to grieve. It may sound dramatic but it is a big change and we all handle it in different ways.