40 years of school ends today.

[RapunzelsSplitEnds]

Our first child began school in 1985 and our youngest has his final day at school today.
There are huge age gaps between each of our three dcs and for the first time in forty years, there will be no child to start school after the holidays.
It must sound really silly but I’m finding it difficult to process or finding positive answers.
I have a lot of work planned in order to keep really busy over the next few months and aim to squash the inner voice saying “Is that it?”

Sorry if this isn’t making sense but I feel quite lost right now. I would really appreciate any helpful advice especially how others have coped.

That’s quite a milestone! I think you should consider writing a book or at least an article. Congratulations on supporting what must feel like two generations.

I am counting down the days til my son finishes Y13
Enjoy not having to think about school anymore! It's not something I have found enjoyable in the slightest.

I’ve had 24 years of it, ending today.

Looking forward to getting up later, not stressing over averages, not intervening as private lessons providers (DH covered Maths and Science and I did Humanities) and not hearing complaints that X teacher is horrible/unfair/has it in for them!

DD will be living, hopefully working and studying in this city so it’s not a clean break but I am looking forward to being three fully fledged adults living together.

Photo of traditional bouquet for last day of school in Italy. Roses for her Classic High School.

20 years here and just finished! Odd to think we will never have to worry about school holidays, back to school uniforms etc ever again! It is a milestone!

Thank you and what a beautiful picture of the Italian bouquet!

Ive enjoyed most of their school years (they attended different schools) and the years have passed so quickly. I’m not sure if it is the impending change in routine or new role as ‘instructor’ as we teach our youngest skills he will need for his chosen profession.
How do you unwind? I think they call it ‘decompression’ these days?

Help me out, I can’t envisage it what are your dc ages?

So you have one DC born in about 1981 and one in about 2007 and one in the middle? That's a huge amount of change you must have seen in the school system.

Congrats Op, and please take it very easy and be kind to yourself.
It's bound to feel very weird and like a big loss.
x

Wow, I wouldn't have even thought this was possible 😄 - well done.

I've got 3 years left of a single child, which will be quite enough really.

That's absolutely amazing. Are you doing something to mark it? I feel it deserves a special holiday or at least a family meal?

Book yourself a term time holiday immediately. The price difference will help you deal with the change.
My pfb has just finished school and it's slightly surprised me how sad I am. Be kind to yourself.

Same. I’m guessing she had her first at around age 17 and her last at 43?

something like that?

It's ok, you'll have some grandchildren arriving any minute. Take a 5 minute break!

Wow!I had done 20 years of School Runs and felt like a veteran. It's surprising really.I felt a bit like you it's the end of an era or several. We have a dog as well,Shes very good company .And we can take our time on walks ,no rushing home to go on School Run.Take your time and enjoy the Summer ,You will be a new woman in winter.Its a bit like retirement ,Mum used to say she was so busy she didnt know how she found time to go to work!

@RapunzelsSplitEnds how old are you OP? and what are the age gaps between your kids???

Yes, first was 1982 then 1996 then 2007. Huge changes in child rearing, education, music, society. We have avoided the whole Generation whatever thing as there are Boomers, pensioners, teens, Gen X and the rest! The common thread is music which soothes all ills.

I’m 65.

I completely feel this! Mine don't have quite as big a gap as yours, but my eldest started primary school in 2008 and my youngest will finish in 2032, so I will have been in schools for 24 years! I'm going to hold onto the lack of panic in August for uniform/shoes and avoiding fines for taking holidays in term time. But I will also be very lost!

My Mum felt like this too. 11 years between youngest and oldest children. In the early days we used to go home for lunch too, so 8 trips a day to and from school!

You deserve a medal that's a huge parenting achievement. No wonder you feel lost. I like PPs suggestion of booking a term time holiday to mark new beginnings.

That really is an amazing span of experience, @RapunzelsSplitEnds!

Tell me - has MN made a difference to your child rearing, or how you see yourself in your maternal role?

Other than that was there anything that made a bigger difference than the Internet in the way you brought up and interacted with your children?

There are lovely things to look forward to Mumble12! School concerts, the school community, little sales of work, open days where you could see the pupil’s work, making new friends. I was never keen on sports days but attended them all. Good luck for the long haul!

I do remember this feeling OP. Slightly bereft. Wondering if there was still purpose to my life.
Ah, but of course there is :) It's just that school and all its demands seem to take up so much time.
I only did around 22 years of it, but still felt a strange loss when it was over. However, this soon turned into a 'lightness' - no more burden of school shoes, uniform, PE Kit, timetables, equipment, homework, school bus passes blah blah blah. No more holidays tied to term times.
Once you get over the initial 'bereftness' you will begin to feel free. The open road is ahead of you, and your DCs are walking on their own now (with the occasional hand-hold and mum support of course!)
Have a little weep for the times past - and enjoy the good times ahead! x

@RapunzelsSplitEnds why did you leave such huge gaps between children??? I had my first in 1980(since died) and have her children living with us now. I am struggling at 70 doing the school run for 15 and 16 year old grandchildren (they go to schools in different towns) and running around cooking meals for hollow legs!

So far i have done 24 years and i still have 4 years to go. So done with it all.