Not excited about my DC starting school

[BedraggledBlitz]

My DS starts school this week. He's my only child, someone asked me if I am excited and I was surprised at the question. I'm not excited at all, I just feel a bit "let's get on with it".

Saying bye to nursery was emotionally draining, I'm a bit sad to be losing my weekly day off with him, and the freedom of going away whenever I like.

Am I missing something? Should I be relishing this experience?

I think they mean you finally get a break maybe? I’m going to be very excited when all the kids are in school. I’m going to be running from the school gates shouting freedom like Mel Gibson.

I was excited for DS but I too missed my day with him.

I’m feeling like you, Op.

DD is only just four, so I feel I am losing out on time with her. Not looking forward to the tyranny of school uniform, bureaucracy and being channeled into holidaying with everybody else when it’s most expensive. The thought of stressful school-run mornings five days a week, with only two days off, doesn’t fill me with glee, either.

I will miss her.

My children are older now but I didn't feel excited or pleased when they were starting school. I felt a bit sad both times. I soon got used to the new routine and once I knew they were settled and happy it became the new norm but I definitely wasn't excited.

I remember the mums on the first day that couldn't wait to get rid of their child, then there were the ones that were sobbing. I was neither of these two extremes, it was just what needed to happen and like you say 'let's get on with it' because we had to.

Hope your son settles in well.

I have one starting this week OP and two already there. I have loved the long summer break from the alarm clock and routines and laying out clothes and lunches and all the other clobber that’s required each day, not to mentioned washing uniforms and sports kits and remembering money for this or that and endless emails and the never ending bake sales and dressing ups days. It’s relentless!

I feel very wobbly and slightly tearful today at the end of the summer and another bird flying the nest. Sob! Yet on my schools’ WhatsApp groups all I see are memes and hilarious jokes about being delighted to wave them off and crack open the wine etc It seems the schools can’t open their doors early enough for some people. I take the view they spend a lot of their childhood at school and I want every bit I can grab just for me.

Funny thing to say, do you think they meant is he excited rather than you?

It's another stage and a big step and will be kind of sad to lose your time with him. But it is something you do just have to get on with.

On my ds1 first day of school loads of mums were bawling their eyes out, which I didn't feel (I'm with @MonChatEstMagnifique on this one) and thought a bit rough on their kids, but no-one was excited or running for the hills shouting "I'm free!"

DS starts kindergarten Tuesday and honestly I'm really down about it. I had a big cry today. We had secondary infertility (it was a miracle we even had him) and I just feel so so sad he's off to school. It's feels like the fun, carefree times have ended and the daily grind has begun.

I know it's ridiculous but I'm actually pretty depressed about it.

@karenbokaren

I was both sad and excited when ds started school last year. And I feel the same after these holidays. Yes, I will miss him like crazy when he's back at school, but I love seeing how much he learns and grows at school, listening to him tell me what he's been up to, seeing his school work and watching his friendships develop fills me with such pride and joy, it's a wonderful thing!! I know they are only so little still but watching them spread their wings away from you is exciting!