Really emotional - daughter leaving primary school

[Keepingitmum]

Hey everyone, I'm just writing this out, not sure why I'm really posting!
But I'm really struggling with my emotions at the moment, with regards to my daughter's last few days at primary school, year 6. She'll be off to secondary school in September, I'm just so emotional 😭
Time really does fly by, it's like she was a baby just yesterday! I don't want her getting older and not needing her mum anymore, or not wanting to hang around and go shopping with me or whatever we might do. Every time I think about it, I get super emotional!

Sorry for this completely random post! Is anyone else feeling the same? Or has anyone else felt this way? Does the upsetting feeling of your children getting older ever go away? 😭 I haven't felt this way about any of the other stages! Newborn, toddler etc.

It is the end of an era though so it is bound to be upsetting and a change to the daily school day routine come September. As for worrying about not needing you they need you in other ways, post school chats, at primary we did worst thing about your day and best thing about your day. At secondary we did a quick one sentence chat about each subject they had that day so less how was your day and more what did you do in History - Victorian Poor House, English, read a passage from The Lovely Bones or whatever. Leads into conversations about the topics and also what they had for lunch. We would do a brief chat when they came home and then we would all chat over dinner about it when Dh was home too.

If it helps Ds1 is 21 and still likes me to go shopping with him we just chat as we walk round. However they feel about you being embarrassing you just remind them of the time they threw themselves on the floor in Sainsburys right near the tills and wailed and how you stood by them through that so your mere existence is nothing compared to that

I remember crying when my son left primary school. He’s 25 now and still needs us. We have a close relationship. I understand your upset completely. She’ll always need you ❤️

I'm totally with you, never been emotional over any of the other stages but this is wiping me out.

Im the same as you, it's just me and her so im worried that she's not going to need/want me as much. I keep thinking of all the things I should have done differently and it's all suddenly here and she's off to secondary.

Solidarity and hugs.

My only DC is leaving primary tomorrow and I’m also very emotional about it. I’ve distracted by doing shopping for holiday, also getting her a gift/balloons saying “well done” and trying to create a feeling of celebration (whilst having to furiously blink back tears).

I like the tips from cardboardorange above. Best of luck OP, reach out to the other Mums, they will be a support and some likely to feeling the same.

Avoid hearing Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA for the next wee while 😭

Must be something in the air as I started the exact same thread at the same time

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5122181-im-a-mess-about-my-pfb-leaving-primary-school

I'm just having a wee cry whilst I'm on my own.

It's normal to feel like this, and summed up perfectly in this song

Get your tissues ready!

I totally get this I’ve got 2 dcs when dd left primary I was ok l, however when ds left I more emotional because it was another last.
DD left seniors last year and again I was emotional but I’m so pleased with the beautiful kind level headed dd I’ve raised and I can’t wait to see where her next adventures take her.

My youngest dc is year 5 and I'm welling up already... 100% with you OP.

I was exactly the same! In fact I remember posting on here, for the same reason, a few years ago because I was really feeling it and starting to worry about my mental health.

It did go away after a few weeks. I had to pace myself with tasks like bagging up her uniform to pass on, and packing away her school books, because every time I thought about it I'd be in floods. But I adjusted eventually. She settled in well at secondary school and I've got a few years before the next big milestone.

My DM was no use at all when I asked her about it. She said "This is nothing, just wait until she leaves for university!"

But I get it, OP. You are not alone. Some of us just feel the emotional side of these transitions more than others do. Make some plans for something enjoyable to do together in the holidays. Make a conscious effort to look forward whenever you catch yourself sinking into nostalgia. There are still good times coming!

Cried buckets when the first left primary. Didn't with the second 😬😊

It's a big milestone but you'll all adjust. Just keep talking, listening and d having fun together. It's going to be fine 😊

Im in the same boat here and I’ve cried so much , I think it’s the representation of time gone by , and the speed at which his childhood is going 💔

You’re not alone! I even remember my mum sobbing when I left primary school back in 1997!

It’ll be alright 🤗 wear your sunglasses, hide the tears when you can and get excited about the future x

I pretty much flooded the playground with tears on both DC's last days in primary.

And I think I totally drowned out the over-the-top-emotional-farewell-song in DD's assembly with snotty sobs.

All I can tell you is that it does pass, and you'll look back in a few years and laugh at yourself, as I do.

For now, give into the boohoos (and possibly the wine).

Thank you all so much for your lovely responses!
It's nice to know I'm not alone, it's such an emotional rollercoaster this parenting life!

I'm going to keep my sunglasses on my face, tissues in pocket on Tuesday! And then later definitely cry into a big glass of wine! It's a celebration after all 🍷

Abba - slipping through my fingers is making me ugly cry every time I hear it! Beautiful song, but so emotional!

I am looking forward to this next stage in my daughter's life, and I'm equally looking forward to some quality time spent in the 6 weeks!

Thank you all again x