To think the months before your children starting school are so difficult?

[nodontclimbonthere]

It could well just be us. DS is … ready, I think. I’m finding him increasingly hard to keep happy and entertained, especially as he has a younger sibling. There’s a lot of really silly behaviour, a lot of boisterous behaviour - charging around and climbing all over me and bashing into things. He’s ready.

Or is it just us? It could be, I know some people seem quite sad about school and the changes it will bring.

Our nursery called the months before starting school “school-itis” - a time when behaviour often went all over the place. They said it was usually because the children were aware of the impending big change of transferring to school, and it didn’t help how some parents hype it up too which isn’t always in some children’s best interests if they are anxious about change.

Is he an autumn born/oldest in the year? My oldest is September, and she definitely outgrew nursery about 6 months before she started school, it just didn't stimulate her in same way as school, she was a bit bored I think, so was low level disruptive

Not to burst your bubble but going to school might not make any difference! Everyone told me it would tire my son out, as if!!

I don’t think it will tire him out but it will mean I won’t have him for six hours of the day, awful as that sounds.

He is December born so more then ready.

Yep, mine definitely outgrew nursery at this time of year, especially the autumn born one

My first found it really tough, with hindsight it was excitement, but it was basically 6 weeks of screaming and meltdowns. Younger child was already in the nursery class at his school so no transition as such.

Does he attend a pre school? any clubs? Football, swimming etc

You would be suprised, they are often exhausted the first few weeks, even those used to going to nursery 10 hours a day, 5 days a week

My dd was on the younger side, but she had ridiculously outgrown nursery. It was a long wait until she could start school.

Summer clubs. Are a godsend

I don't remember that, but I do remember some challenging behaviour just after they started school!

Wait until he’s in his teens.

You’ll look back at this one day and realise how precious this time is.

17 months to go for us 🤪😭😂

I honestly hate it when people say this. Having toddlers is HARD

Personally I found the transition from child to adult the hardest phase of all 🤣

YES! We're feeling that too! Our 3 year old is 4 in July and starting school this year, Hes reallllly hard work! We also have a 4 year old who started last September and he was the same! The difference in him after 2 months in school was unbelievable and sooooo lovely to see!! He became calmer and just generally nicer to be around

I don’t think I will to be honest. I know a lot of people do, or say they do. But I’m not really prone to looking back and wanting to be transported to a particular time or era. It’s nice to look back but go back to my DS’s toddlerhood? Absolutely not, thanks!

In a way it is precious time and so I’m keen not to wish it away but meeting two very different sets of needs is hard. If I had just DS it probably would be quite enjoyable but as it is it’s tricky!

We’ve (or rather he) have long since outgrown toddler groups, I’m all farm-d and feeding duck-d out as well!

I completely disagree, my kids are lovely as teenagers, much easier to deal with than when they were younger.

Mine both did every morning at school nursery. It wouldn't have been my preferred hours but it did work well for them both as they were up and out 5 mornings and then happy to take it easier at home in the afternoon. Did mean no nursery for about 8 weeks over the summer holiday and very slow start to Reception!

Mine was also December-born and ready. It’s a challenging time. New routines impending. He’s probably picking up on your own feelings too.

I had the same before the transition to secondary! Lots of sleepless nights that summer. I find changes in routine hard.

Depends on the child but yes I definitely had this with my eldest, she was so ready for school by the summer before she started. She’s April born too so quite young for the year so would have been bouncing off the walls if she’d been autumn born!
My youngest not so much though, but her personality is just more chilled in general.

All this bleating about how rising 5 is oh too young to start school needs to meet my now 7 year old. He was more than ready for school by last Christmas of nursery. You could tell he was bored and needed to be challenged. He has loved school from day 1 and craved that stricter routine.

Yes, my oldest is September born so it felt a bit daft to be taking a nearly 5 year old to toddler playgroup - but if we didn't then my younger one missed out.