To miss the primary school days

[PurpleFrogg]

Does anyone really miss the days where their children were in primary school? My oldest is in comp now, walks himself to and from school, takes care of his own social life and it’s all a bit of a mystery!

I miss primary school!

Meeting him at the school gate, him coming out with cute little things that he made, paintings, drawings, little cakes. I miss the dressing up, the Christmas concerts, world book day and chatting to the mums at the school gates.

Does anyone else miss these days?

I really miss them. I only have two in secondary now and two have left school.

Nope. Both mine at secondary school and I love that they are finding their independence, walking to school on their own, exploring new subjects and extra curricular opportunities.

It was a pleasure supporting them through primary and we enjoyed the sense of community but also very happy not to have to support every PTA event, be the only parent from the class who gave a sh*t, organising teachers cards and presents, getting dragged in to ridiculous gossip, cliquey mums.

God no. I love that my DS is independent and has his own little life. It’s really nice to see. That and I’m dreading DD1 starting school next year because that means I have to start grappling with PTA’s and school fetes again.

Mine are still in primary school but I’m dreading them getting older. I’m already thinking this the last year one of mine with do a visit to Father Christmas. I’m not ready for them to grow up yet

I love them being older but yes I do pang for the primary school days. I had my kids young so many friends are still in the thick of primary school and I feel a bit sad!

honestly sometimes I look back at photos and think it was someone else’s life.

No as hated school mummy mafia and all the sticky beaks trying to get an invite for their unruly kids and themselves to my house.

While there's some things I miss about them being young (like no late night pick ups!) None of those things are on your list... I'm happy to be passed the days of parental competitions, being ignored by other women as I wasn't in the "in crowd", childrens social lives being dictated by parental status etc.

No at all. My two are 18 and 20 so it's long ago now. I do miss them at primary age as they were very cute, but I don't miss the school run and being sociable at the gates and all that. I am also enjoying being able to take a reasonably priced, quieter holiday in school term time!

Oh my youngest has just started secondary and it’s wonderful!

The main thing is seeing him develop into this independent, capable person. All the ways primary school holds them back being shed, as well as just the sight of him growing up, maturitng ad they all will do.

Plus I can finally work my full working day without having to get up and go out (ok he was walking home alone in yr 6 but before this) and not having to wait til after primary school drop off to start my day - “oh I can’t travel here or there because of school drop off”.

Together with dd starting sixth form it’s a fabulous time.

Hell no

Bickering parents
The ones who moan about everything
The bloody whats app groups
God awful playdates
School gate politics

But by child no3 perhaps I was too jaded of some awful awful parents

Gosh no!

I loved a lot of those days and we had a great time, especially the spontaneous park trips after school and the little plays at Christmas. But I do not miss that level of interaction with other parents, the pta stress, the endless need for coins and slips and costumes and remembering show and tell etc. The parking!!

It will always be a phase of my life I look back on fondly but I wouldn't want to do it forever.

I don’t miss all the expectations on parents and the juggling work with PTA events, school fairs on working days, sports days, baking, costumes, busy work homework projects. My eldest was diagnosed with ASD at 8 so I also had years of judgement and being treated like I was a shit parent, plus a child who couldn’t cope with the chaos of primary school.

Secondary school was brilliant. My daughter finally got the support she needed, she thrived on the quiet and structure compared to primary and I only got called in when needed. I’m actually loving parenting both my teenagers.

I think the first term of secondary school is a big adjustment. No longer doing anything very Christmassy at school felt a bit sad. After that it quickly became the norm.

That’s so relatable. I miss those easy days too — I’ve started reading gentle cozy mysteries in the evenings because they kind of bring that warm feeling back.

The awful parents. The constant, perplexing messages for things to do.

Yes and no. Seeing them run out with their picture and a big hug, priceless. Having to deal with the community narcissist parents, hell no.

My DC does and says now much nicer and easier primary was compared to Secondary. Does miss the very little homework in comparison to now too.

I miss how we used to know the teacher, I don't know any of them now. Even parents evening is on Zoom. It feels very much like DC is a number.

I don't miss the drop offs and pick ups, or school gate aspect though!

I miss it. I pass by my sons’ primary school all the time and feel so nostalgic. I still see the same lollipop man standing there yakking away to the parents. I miss the lovely, caring attitude of the teachers and the principal who knew every child and all their little ways. It was a fantastic wee school. I do NOT miss the Christmas Fair, the Summer Fair, the Harvest Festival or any of the other mass gatherings as I’m an awkward type and struggle with social interaction and crowds (but I sucked it up!) I also don’t miss all that class bear shit and bloody World Book Day and ridiculous art projects that required way too much parent input. But overall they were good times.