To not understand parents crying at the end of infant school

[SEsofty]

So today my eldest left infant school, and will be continuing onto the junior school along with ninety percent of the year.

I was surrounded by parents crying their eyes out, incredibly upset. I simply don't understand.

So could someone please explain to me why lots of people are crying simply because their child is going onto the next year of school.

Aibu to not understand?

I'm feeling pretty emotional about tomorrow for a number of reasons:

DD has had a super year with a fantastic teacher and I'm sad to say goodbye to him being her teacher
One of her very good friends is leaving (the area) and I'm also good friends with her mum so I feel really quite upset about that, we are both losing a good friend who's been there since the start of school
And yes, the passage of time. My little girl is growing up. Bitter-sweet.

I'd rather be accused of being slightly over emotional than being utterly unimaginative and unempathetic.

I hate NYE as the tears start. Not only because the tv is rubbish either.
I hate that day so much its irrational.

I do get quite emotional about things like this. If I am watching a school play I will well up, I don't sit there sobbing but I will definitely have a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat. I cried my eyes out reading my daughter's report this year. It was really lovely and very personal, not generic like my sons report. I cry so much more now that I am a parent. I couldn't be a teacher because I am too emotional, I would hate saying goodbye every year.

Teachers get upset too i imagine.
Its life isnt it! Gets to us all, even the hardest of people.

Believe me glitter, you wouldn't!

I felt really strange at the end of DDs year 6. it felt like the end of an era. It was a very close knit place. It felt like the end of her childhood as she would be going to and from school by bus in future and not have just the one teacher and classroom. when she started school I wasn't at all upset but the day she finished I was really sad. You feel how you feel. No right or wrong.

I think I'll cry when my youngest d's leaves nursery next year. My eldest ds went to the same nursery (he is going into year 3 now) so I'll be sad it's the last time I do the nursery run and see the staff who have been brilliant with my kids.

glitterlips1
You sound sensible and that's a healthy approach in my opinion.

I always feel a little emotional saying goodbye to nice y11s who you've had for years.

It's the difference between a parents getting a proud tear in their eyes at a concert vs hysterically crying and fanning themselves whilst making a fuss of 'just the other day he/she was tiny but they'll always be my baby. I'm so proud of my little darling. Sniff Sniff.'
One is sweet. The other makes me eye roll inside.

I cried when DS2 left primary school as we'd been parents at that particular small school in our village constantly for the past 15 years. I was on the PTA and lots of our friendship groups revolved around school and it felt like part of the family. The staff had supported us through some tough times and we knew them all well (the now head had been DS1's reception class teacher for example).

I cry when my kids in Y6 leave. I cried when my DD left reception. Not hysterical sobbing but noticeable tears. I'm sad that a lovely time is ending, going to miss some kids, proud of achievements, excited about the future. There's a whole range of emotions going on and it makes me cry. I don't think there's anything wrong with it but equally, there's nothing wrong with not crying too. There is a lack of empathy in not understanding why someone might cry.

I cry at the Y6 leavers' assembly every year. Only one year so far has it actually been a child of my own, but I have known these children since nursery and watched them grow up. It's bittersweet and lovely...

I don't think the teachers are sad - they are already working in next years class and looking forward to beer on Friday night

We never had this leavers stuff - it's just for showing off the school and parents seem to love it - blah

Just because I don't/didn't cry doesn't mean I love my kids less or you love yours more -

"I'm also a bit sad every New Year's Eve, for the same reason, it marks time much more for me than a birthday, not sure why."

A birthday is a celebration, it's not really a "look back over the year" in the way NYE is. Also, it's not a shared day in the way NYE is. Basically every single person in the world is experiencing New Year's Eve (the day, if not the same hour) all together - it's more emotional.

I cried at leavers assembly because of the music and slideshow of my DD in reception class plus the fact that they were all moving on to different secondary schools. It's the end of an era, the place you took them to daily, the other parents you bonded with, the teachers who taught your child. The kids were crying too!

DS1 is leaving infants school next week. We've moved out of the area so he's not going to the same junior school as most of his classmates. I'll be working on his last day but I'm pretty sure I'd be sobbing if I was there.

Our kids don't have junior either so just natural progression!
Ds7 goes to SEN school for severe learning Difficulties.... I cry at every school okay, every sports day and sometimes when he changes classes. I entrust these people with my child's life and they do become friends.

Green the teachers are often emotional. I'm a TA and along with the class teacher, I will be sad to see the class move on to the next year, let alone a new school.Even the challenging children manage to get under your skin after a year.

I diddn't cry either. I think it's all about the parents, tbh. A bit rubbish frankly.

My shameful crying moment was when my son was finally discharged by the hospital after years of appointments and two operations. I was so glad it was all over and then I burst into tears as we said goodbye to them. He cried as well but it is our dirty little secret and no one else knows.

Crying at the end of infant school does seem pretty OTT to me! I had a bit of a 'oh where's the time gone?'moment when DS left junior school, but I didn't cry. Can't remember anyone else crying either.

Everything nowadays has become just a big 'thing'!

I was a complete state. I cried as I made my way into the hall for my daughters leavers assembly. I'd literally dreaded that day for the entire academic year.
My daughter didn't shed a tear.
When my kids left nursery, I had to be bought inside by teachers to calm down because I was sobbing so much on the playground. This happened on two separate occasions with a three year gap in between.
I do get really sad at the end of an era, I can't help it. I'm a pretty strong woman at most other times though!

I have to make another confession, I was sobbing this morning reading a John Grisham book. Maybe I cry too much.

My son is going up to year 6 so just another class. But when he go's to year 7. That's quite emotional and the children get emotional as well. He's been there since the age of 3 so it's a big change.

Gosh, 2ducks

That's not a great example, really.

Taken inside to calm down?