40 years of school ends today.

I also had 24 years of school which felt like a very long time but nowhere as long as 40! However my youngest child was very reasonable, ran her own life and got on with her homework without being harassed, so the last few years were not at all arduous. I always felt more sad when a child first started school, their freedom was effectively gone for most of the rest of their lives, other than holidays and retirement.

This morning I was waiting for DS to go to school before I started work. He left school last week!

I can understand that that must feel very strange OP. My eldest started school in 2002 and the youngest finished last year, so barely half your time and it still hit me as the end of an era. In fact I was reminded of it yesterday when a picture of my youngest standing by the school gates popped up on my Facebook memories. I'd picked him up as it was his very last day and as I was taking that photo the Headmaster walked past and stopped to say goodbye, saying some very nice things about my DC and that we'd be missed as a family. I nearly cried!
The school bus passes our house and used to pick up our DC at the end of our drive so I found the start of term very odd when it drove past without stopping, and even odder when I'd occasionally see the driver stop briefly, realise his mistake and set off again. Occasionally when I see the other kids in our village in their school uniforms I do get a pang of nostalgia and wish mine were still there.
But life goes on. There are things about the school days I do miss but there's a lot that is good about my life and my DC's lives now too. Transitions are often times of mixed emotion and I can imagine this one is quite hard, yet satisfying for you OP. Enjoy the next phase, whatever it brings.

That is really something! I think I might recognise you from some old threads about nannies and childcare? Academia too?

Mark the moment in some way if you can. But definitely take the opportunity to look back at the good times and smile!

Good grief. I was glad to see the back of the school run/school politics/bullying/shit from other mums/school rules, and all that bollocks. I had it for about 13-14 years with my 2, and I wouldn't have it back if you paid me. Enjoy the peace now @RapunzelsSplitEnds

I think this would have been fairly normal in the past. My great grandmother had her first child at 16 and her last at 45.

Doing this over such mind-blowing timespan - wow! Have you considered writing a book?

It’s not dissimilar from being a teacher for that length of time. Governed by terms and half terms, adapting to the changes in just about everything to do with education. It’s true that what goes around comes around. There were ‘new’ initiatives I remembered from years past.

It takes some getting used to certainly. These days, I’m not always sure what day it is. Previously, everything was measured in half term blocks.

You’re 65! I’m 60 and my pension age is 67. It’s not going to move for you now!

Awww. I totally understand OP. I only have one child, still a toddler, but find motherhood already so bittersweet. So lovely seeing them progress and grow, but constantly a little bit of grief for the bits gone before.

It's going to be such a big change for you, and you are totally justified in feeling a bit lost. The next chapter will hold new and exciting things for you I'm sure, and you'll have the pleasure of watching you "littlest" becoming a fully fledged adult.

Wow my first started school in 2003 last will finish in 2033 and that seemed huge! Congratulations 🙌

With milestones that cause you sadness, I find the key is not to dwell on them. The more you allow yourself to think in terms of 'the last time' 'end of an era', the more sentiment takes hold. It helps me to think objectively about what I've really lost, what I still have, and what new things are on the horizon. One element of your life is changing. You won't do school runs and you won't be involved with schools. But the rest of your life, your family, hobbies, work and most of your day to day will chug on just the same. Acknowledge the moment, but if the thought of the ending isn't a happy one, think about other things. You'll adjust.

Oh sorry I tend to think of finishing school as primary age
but I’m quite hands off from secondary onwards

18. She's already said he's finishing school and born 2007.

I am 16 years into being a school run mum and I am counting down the years until I finish, 3 to go! I am impressed you have been doing it for 40 years, that is incredible.

How old is your youngest ?

Aww I can imagine i might feel like that too when the time comes. I love hearing the door open and have them running in to tell me about their day. I imagine the enthusiastic running dwindles a bit as they grow up but all the same....

Congratulations OP.

I passed this milestone a few years back, but there are still days when it gets to about 3.30 and I find myself excitedly waiting for someone who isn't coming.

BUT at least I get a lie-in!

I'm the third of 4. There are 13 years between us, and we are all in our 50s and 60s now. DM (80s) says that she still does a mental check on us every night before she goes to sleep.

Me too. I'm sorry, I know it's your life and not a tv show to entertain me, but that age span must be quite unusual, no?

Enjoy your retirement, and the extra brain space freed up now you no longer have school admin to deal with.

I knew someone with 26 year between her eldest and youngest -but she had 8 overall - 2 then space then two more then last 4 in rapid succession - started at 18 - and finished 44 - married to same man all that time - both worked though she did p/t all in 3 bed house - though oldest three had moved out though they were close with the parents and went round regularly. They tried for one more but had miscarriages.

Then had first GC about year after her last.

I've just finished 16 years with school - though yougest is going on to college - so pack lunches still but no uniform and way less contact than with school.

It's odd time as 4 school years between mine - so it very rapid change as they head of for Uni one after the other - we'll be down to one fingers crossed come September.

I've got a 13 year age gap between my eldest and youngest and two in between which amounts to 26 years of dealing with schools. It's a big part of your life.

Wow. 40 Years!!

Surely you must have grandkids by now, or some on the horizon? Parents always want help with school runs :)