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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not to have a back to school ritual?

233 replies

Finemjen · 26/08/2025 03:48

Does anyone else not do anything special to mark the first day back to school? Or do you have an end of summer/back to school ritual? Recently learned some give their kids a special breakfast, balloon arch, gift etc. I like to take a photo before kids head off on first day but should I be making it more of an event so they don’t feel left out?

OP posts:
ObliviousCoalmine · 26/08/2025 04:30

No, but I tend to do something nice on the first weekend after they’ve been back. Breakfast out or something.

TeenToTwenties · 26/08/2025 04:21

Best not to make a big fuss.
Photo for when joining or leaving school.
Poor kids have enough to worry about without parents making a grand performance (and expecting child to appreciate it).
Another thing for Instagram etc??

theyoungishman · 26/08/2025 04:05

A balloon arch.. really? My ritual would be get them off to school as quick as possible and enjoy the day having some time to myself!!!

Natsku · 26/08/2025 04:04

I do a photo but that's it. I save our ritual for end of school - sushi buffet for lunch!

AHellOfAGoodNight · 26/08/2025 04:02

We often did a special breakfast, just so they didn't dread the day as much and we got off to a good start I suppose. We usually took a photo when they were younger, but they didn’t really want that as they got older so we didn’t. That was about it. As our son told us when he was about 9, ‘it’s a bad day mum and dad, the worst day of the year, you can’t make it good’. That was us told. 😂

Youngest has just finished year 11 so we’re done with school. 🥳

elliejjtiny · 26/08/2025 04:00

We don't do anything. I just take a photo of them stood by the front door.

InMyHealthyEra · 26/08/2025 03:54

Never heard of a back to school ritual before. My youngest starts reception next month and my oldest will be going into year 2. Nothing special planned.

BeachLifeForMe · 26/08/2025 03:53

Never heard of a back to school ritual. It sounds like something an influencer would do. If you want to do something then go ahead but not just because you think you should be doing it. The gift is the fortune I've just spent on uniform!