AIBU in not really wanting my kids to go back to school

[Itsjustmeagain]

All I have heard the last few weeks is "bet you are counting down the days" and things to that effect but I actually feel the opposite. I have 5 children and I much prefer the holidays when they are here all day to the term time when they are out. I dont think it helps that school has been an issue in some way for all but one of the older 4 (youngest is only 2). The oldest (9) has had social problems and struggles to make friends (although does really well with the academic side of things), the 8 year old has learning problems, 5 year old so far is great! but 4 year old starting this year had serious problems with nursery to the point where I had become a SAHM because she wasnt coping at all with the nursery.

I feel like a failure of a mother taking them to school, but at home they are really wonderful children, they are well behaved, interesting and keen to o activites etc. Despite the problems the older three really enjoy going to school so I would never let my feeling get in the way of that but AIBU to feel this way? I mentioned this to SIL and she basically said I was insane and needed to get a life and that it was not normal to feel like keeping the children close.

AIBU to NOT be looking forward to school starting again?

Yanbu! The holidays are great!

I feel the same. My eldest is starting school this week and I am not looking forward to it at all. I know I'm going to worry about him and miss him loads.

No you are not unreasonable, i love having my two at home and am dreading next tuesday, trying to plan something to do so i am occupied. My two both love school but its my eldests last year at primary and time is all going abit too quickly for my liking

YANBU. School seems so fraught with difficulty at times. They get SO tired and are pushed too hard. I feel strongly that there should be a shorter day and a 4 day week.

School could perhaps remain open on Friedays for parents and children who want to attend but with no academic study...only art, sport and music as they choose.

I feel like a failure of a mother taking them to school

I can really identify with all that you say but especially this ^

DD2 has AS and has struggle in school from day 1, emotionally and socially, not academically. She is now in a great school where the staff work really hard to ensure her needs are met but she is still struggling. We are now fighting for a LA funded place in a small, very lovely private school where she would hopefully feel safe and secure. We'll see.

If this doesn't work I have a feeling I will end up home schooling her.

We've had a lovely relaxed six weeks but the stress is starting to creep up now and will increase over the next week. I'll miss them when they go back too. I've really enjoyed having them so close for the last few weeks.

Yanbu - the holidays only point out the rigidity of the school day and the way we are all enslaved by it. It seems so artificial after the freedom of the holiday

I hate that anyone who thinks of home education is seen as "odd" or "strange" and the assumption that kids need the socialization they get in school.

I think the MINORITY thrive in our schools as they currently are. And the majority find it hard.

Me neither, DD1 will love being back with her friends and DD2 starts nursery this time, and I will think it is so quiet!

My dd is going into Year 10 and she has AS. School mornings are horrendous, without fail and getting to work unscathed is a nightmare. She has been so relaxed in the holidays and as I'm a TA I've been off too.

Like you Gold the stress is creeping in. Dd has started compulsively checking how many days until we go back, ie every half hour! We have to shop for new school stuff but it just reminds her so I keep putting it off.

Me too. Hate the conformity of it and and the stress.

Mrswinnabago - I would love it if school was optional in the afternoon! So they go in say 9-1 then perhaps bring home work or activities for the afternoon.

Gold - my oldest dd has always struggled to fit in with other children because she is so anxious and she just reacts differently to other children - she is also very direct, if she sees it she says it no matter how much I try to explain to her that honestly is not ALWAYS the best policy! It culminated last year with her coming home and telling me that she is doing special lessons because no one likes her

DSIL has 6 kids who she now home schools due to dissatisfaction with the school system. Before that she would always dread the end of the school hols, so you're not alone.

Dreading dd going back to pre school. She is much more stable and emotionally confident in the holidays. She is a sleepy thing so loves being able to lie in too. I hate waking her up to get to pre school. Horrible

Cheesy I know what you mean dd4 took weeks to start sleeping properly and using the toilet again (she was wetting herself constantly) after I pulled her out of nursery in May and in a couple of weeks I will be taking her back but this time leaving her all day. I am dreading it although I have already been to a meeting with the school and prettying said if it looks like it's going badly I will pull her out again.

DD1 starts this year and I'm dreading it. She's really excited but I hate the thought of her changing with influences/opinions I don't like, the thought of her away so often and the rigidity of not being able to junk it all off and go to the beach for the day instead or have a PJ day if she's tired etc like I did with preschool

YANBU and sound like a lovely mum.

Yanbu I hate it when the dc go back to school, I really wish I could home school them.

Same here. I've been nodding my way through each post.

The holidays really do highlight how rigid our routine is for the majority of the year.

DD generally likes school, but we do so many more activities that capture her imagination when we have more time. I feel like I'm a better mother when we have more time to fill. Like I can relax and do a decent job instead of filing in forms & journals and ramming homework down her neck every night on top of anything else we might like to do.

I wish it were an option to homeschool for part of the week - I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Is homeschooling at all an option for you, OP? (Assuming you would be interested in the option in the first place.)

Have you considered homeschooling?

Its not something I could do I admit, because I dont have the self discipline, but it sounds like it could work for you.

And no, I dont look forward to school starting again. In the holidays they are my children, we are a family. During term time they become little robots and I miss them :(

I have 6 btw, so I wonder if having a large family makes a difference. There is always someone to play with, fall out with, make alliances with etc.

Xpost Burblish sorry, skipped the last few posts!

I would try keeping them home if they were unhappy but the older three seem to enjoy school most of the time!
It is something we have seriously considered for dc4 as she has such major problems being at nursery but we are going to try school first and see how it goes !.

Personally though I would love it! But would feel guilty since the children haven't expressed the same feelings!

No YANBU. I was last night when I realised dd only has 8 days before she has to go back. Depressing.

Goldmandra I home school my ds with ASD. Everything that could have gone wrong for him at school, did. It was a horrible time. Taking him out was the best thing I ever did. He is thriving now and his autism is hardly noticeable.