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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel absolutely emotional about back to school?

65 replies

Chickenwings85 · 01/09/2018 20:53

I only have one DD who is going into year 4 on Monday. We've had a lovely summer holiday and shes spent alot of time with her closest friends too.
I'm dreading her going back to school on Monday because I'm honestly going to miss her so much. Not to mention that every term, she just keeps growing up that little bit more. I'm sat here tonight just wanting to cry, which I know is pathetic and ridiculous. Is anyone feeling the same or do I need a slap round the face with a wet fish?

OP posts:
PumpkinPie2016 · 01/09/2018 21:42

My son is starting reception this time and I am back at work on Monday after summer hols (I am a teacher) and I am feeling a bit mixed.

We have had a lovely summer and I have enjoyed bobbing about with DS so I will miss that.

However, he is ready for school and it will be nice for him to have other kids to play with during the day. He is an only and there are very few kids on our little lane so he has mostly just had me and DH to play with.

For me, I am quite looking forward to meeting my new classes and getting back to a routine as I do like a routine. Once Monday lunch comes, I'll be back into it all!

Chipshopninja · 01/09/2018 21:45

I feel like you OP.

I will miss DS so much when he goes back next week. He's had the odd day with relatives but it's been mostly.me and him for the last 6 weeks. We are closer than ever.

I will be going back to work soon so I know I will get back into a routine but I find myself resenting the time away from him a bit.

ILoveAnOwl · 01/09/2018 21:48

My DS starts school this time next year. I'm already feeling bereft for September 2019... I know, I need to get a grip!

Aceinthehole · 01/09/2018 21:50

I've had the best summer of my life with DS 7 and DD 4, I'm going to miss them so much. DD starts school on Tuesday, I'm completely torn about it. I get where you are OP.

Stupomax · 01/09/2018 21:51

Mine are 13-17 years old and apart from a few moments it's been the best holiday. I've not been counting the days but tbh I never know how long they are off for so not to stress. My first born starts his last year at school and then he's off to university next year sad. I like them being off as then I don't have to worry about dc3 getting into trouble or having his equipment nicked. Again.

I could have written this myself. I feel so sad especially about DD1 who actually has already gone back. I'm worried about DC3 who has ADHD and is dreading going back, although we do have a lot of new things being put in place this year, so I'm hopeful things will be easier.

Maybe if you had a job you wouldn’t miss her as much because you wouldn’t be seeing her all day everyday.

I work from home so I've had the stress of trying to balance working with looking after kids. Even though it'll be much less stressful once they're at school I'm still so sad summer will be over. I've actually had kids off school since May 28th so it's really been quite a long time, but I'm still not ready.

OP - I'm with you.

Maelstrop · 01/09/2018 21:51

If you’re a sahm, could you do some volunteering at her school?

Lambzig · 01/09/2018 21:56

I am totally with you OP. Mine are 8 and 5. I finished studying in June and have a job starting mid Sept. I have had the whole summer with them and I am going to miss them so much.

They go back Wednesday and For the last I have been doing that thing where I am ruining the last few days feeling miserable about it being over.

MrsFamily · 01/09/2018 21:56

I have 4DC, aged 2-10. In July, I was somewhat wistful about DC4 starting preschool in September and looking forward to the hols, especially as I work term time
only.

Fast forward 6 weeks and I'm fine with all of it. At least one has got up at 6, with bedtime 9pm, I am shattered and just want a bit of quiet time to think. Even time away was very tiring. So whilst I will miss them in some ways, I think we're all ready for normality, and it will do DC4 the world of good to start to make his own friends and widen his own little world.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/09/2018 21:59

I felt a tinge of sadness that the summer hols were over. We have been back to school here for nearly 2wks. I think the kids need it. I think we all need the routine tbh. While its nice and I like having my kids to myself [well most of the time] I also like the routine and enjoying my two days of and my weekends with them. We also have the September break which is coming up at the end of September to look forward to and then the October week. There is always a holiday around the corner.

Original poster
Chickenwings85 · 01/09/2018 22:06

Should've said in my post that I have a business/projects and courses and training that takes up my time when my DD is back at school.

OP posts:
Stupomax · 01/09/2018 22:09

We also have the September break which is coming up at the end of September to look forward to and then the October week. There is always a holiday around the corner

I wish. My DD went back mid August and the next long break she has is Thanksgiving which is the third week in November.

notgivingin789 · 01/09/2018 22:11

I’m starting my Masters on Monday, which would be like going back to full time work. I took a year and a half break, to spend more time with DS as I’ve always been working or studying, since his been born.

We did have a nice summer, though with a few ups and downs. But I will miss him once I start my course. I’m happy his growing up, he will be going into year 4 too, sadly some children never get to grow up, because of this, I count my blessings.

Octopus, I just have the one DS. I envy people with two or more kids (not 4+ kids). DS needs to be constantly entertained (it’s draining on myself) and he gets bored when it’s the two of us, so I’m always arranging play dates. Luckily, we have a big family. Though I think him having a sibling would give him a playmate for life 😅....well, I hope so.

AdelaideK · 01/09/2018 22:11

Yes it's a bittersweet feeling.

I don't work summer holidays so I admit part of my sadness is not wanting to go back to work but summers are so nice and relaxed.

Kim82 · 01/09/2018 22:14

I’m with you OP. My youngest starts reception on Wednesday and I’m not ready. She only turned 4 last month and I want her to be little for longer. I wasn’t like this with my elder three dc (who were also all summer babies), this is the first time I’ve not wanted one of them to start school yet. She’ll be out of the house most of the day every day and I want her to be at home with me 😭. She can’t bloody wait though and talks of nothing but starting big girl school. I’ve taken on more hours at work to try and fill the void...

ReanimatedSGB · 01/09/2018 22:17

I'll miss mine too (going into Year 9). We have been a bit skint this summer so not had a holiday as such, but we have had some nice trips out and about. There's also a part of me thinking that this may be the last summer he'll want to hang out with his mum, and knowing that the days of paddling pools and dressing up for Halloween and so on are kind of coming to an end.

DameJulie · 01/09/2018 22:17

My DD is in secondary school and I am not looking forward to her going back to school. They don't stop being lovely and fun when they leave primary.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 01/09/2018 22:22

Just leaving this here...

(if you can make it through that song without descending into sobs, you're a stronger parent than I am)

jmh740 · 01/09/2018 22:28

I really don't want them to go back I work in ds school so I've had 6 weeks off too, I love spending time with them the days feel so short when were at school it's literally home start tea clean up an hour in front of the tv then it's time for bed, dd is off to high school on we'd and I feel I am losing her she's growing up and doesn't need me as much anymore

Zoflorabore · 01/09/2018 22:31

I am feeling quite the opposite Blush

I have ds who is 15 and has AS. He has had 7 weeks off and needs his routine. He has been an absolute joy throughout the holidays until the last week or so and he's got himself into a right panic over his upcoming GCSE year. He's very ready to go back and get some normality as he thrives on routine.

Then I have dd who is 7. She too has been a joy and I said just last week that it has been the easiest summer holidays we've had.
When I say easy I mean that's it's normally so bloody hard trying to find something that I can do for them both with the 8yr age gap.

Then this week happened and they've both been such hard work. I have fibromyalgia and have been suffering with such bad pain which has probably clouded my judgement a bit and I will feel mean when they do go back!

I can't believe how quick it has gone though. Year 11 and year 3.

stopgap · 01/09/2018 22:32

I’m sort of glad that my 4-year-old is back at preschool this week, but it’s because his brother has already gone back to elementary school and he’s restless. We are in the US, so he’s been off school since early June.

Two weeks ago I felt like you, though—the holidays here are just that bit too long.

Stupomax · 01/09/2018 22:37

Thinking about it, part of the reason I feel sad this year is because we've had house guests for the last few weeks which has cramped our usual style, and it's been one of those summers where we didn't get to do half of the things we wanted.

Plus (for once) DD1 really was very happy about being home, whereas usually she's quite moody and difficult. So I feel a bit cheated out of all the fun stuff I'd usually have done with them, and I want my camping trips and my mini golf and my surfing on the beach and my... I don't know. I feel like this summer escaped from me.

Usually at this point I am whooping with joy, so I totally understand everyone else who is.

Stupomax · 01/09/2018 22:38

And I'm probably menopausal. And DD1 is going to college next year. And. Waah.

SassitudeandSparkle · 01/09/2018 22:39

I'm with you too OP, I love the extended break of the summer holidays and the time with my DD. She does enjoy school although she is about to start secondary so I hope it goes well for her.

witchofzog · 01/09/2018 22:42

I understand the feeling sad when they are primary age and enjoy being with you.

I don't understand people who say "emosh" Seriously - are you 12?

bumblingbovine49 · 01/09/2018 22:48

I always hate the beginning of a new term. I work a lot in the summer(work FT) but I usually book 2 half days a week at home and DH works from home or takes leave 2 days a week .I We also had 2x 1 week holidays as a family this year. I actually find the work routine stressful for me but DS is always so chilled and happy in the summer that I dread the beginning of the school year as he is much less happy at school. (ASD and ADHD diagnosis)