The whole school thing is not what I expected

[Chocolatecookies]

We are now into year 1 and I'm still feeling a bit let down by the whole primary school thing.

I thought it would be:
Lots of like minded parents
Lots of nice children
Nice walks to school, happy chats on the way home
Play dates, parties
New friends made etc

In reality it's:
Lots of small town cliques who ignore you
Some really cross kids who's behaviour is a tad worrying
A death trap getting to and from school, loads of cars, grumpy child all the way home
Had one or two play dates but dc hasn't really found a special friend yet

Dc is doing ok, reading well, I like the staff. But I guess it's just not the 'dream' I thought it would be! I always smile and chat to anyone but its not easy.

End of term blues, reality or time to look for something else??

Don't forget the never ending illnesses.

the only thing you definitely have in common with the other parents is that you are parents. Doesn't mean you'll find lifelong buddies there.

as for the walk; easy. Park half a mile away or further and do the walk that way. It is one of the great amazements that able-bodied kids with able-bodied parents cannot walk to a car, even to the extent that the car must be parked on those pretty zig-zags. Park at a distance (assuming you live too far away to walk it all), problem solved.