Is anyone really sad at the thought of DC starting school?

[TeaAndAnxiety]

My youngest (and most likely last) DC starts school in September. She’s a September baby so I’ve had more time with her than some parents with summer born children. I have 2 and I don’t remember being this upset at the thought of my eldest starting, but it may be as I was pregnant with my daughter at the time so I was more preoccupied.
I’m literally sat in bed crying after ordering her uniform. It just feels so much like the end of an era and I’m losing my “baby” I don’t work either at the moment, I’m just so worried I’m going to be lost. She’s my baby, I’m not ready!

No, but then - I have enjoyed them getting older more than the baby phase.

With every year it seems to get easier and more fun.

Oh and I’ll stop having to spend thirty grand a year on nursery fees.

Mine is still only a toddler and we’ve decided we’re going down the home education/ flexi schooling route. If you don’t work would that be an option for your family? It’s not for everyone and obviously it’s not like it extends the baby toddler years, and it’s hard work but if there’s another reason that school is filling you with dread other than that it symbolises the end of the baby stage for you then there are alternatives.

My friend was like this - I imagine it's like losing your 'sidekick'. Batman without Robin 🫤

She said it gradually got better and used to spend her days making elaborate things as 'surprises' for her when she got home from school ♥️

It was good that she had time to make Christmas extra special too.

Focus on 'fun' x 💐

Mine are well into teenage years and I still get sad !!

yes thousands of us
we are called home edders

Think of it as a new phase in life - what are you going to do for yourself now?

Yes I feel like this. My youngest is only 2 and I'm dreading him starting. Both my children are summerborns and it's my biggest regret I didn't time their conception to be autumn or winter. I'm considering home ed because it seems wrong to me that you're not with your children for the majority of the week. And of course school now dictates when you can go on holiday or have a day together for a family occasion.

Maybe you can try and reframe as a new and exciting phase in her life (and yours) Many DC thrive at school, gaining independence, making and playing with friends, having different experiences and opportunities they wouldn't have at home, learning and becoming more aware of the world. They're only there 6/7 hours a day which still leaves a lot of time for you to spend time with them.

I always get emotional at the "rites of passage" moments in their lives - starting nursery, going to school, leaving primary, going to secondary. Next month I will be driving my "baby" up to university 😁. I think it's natural to feel a sadness as one phase finishes forever, but I also found the newness and excitement of the next stage fun.

I totally get this and felt really sad when the youngest started school. I comforted myself with the remembrance that they’re constantly off school on holidays! Each half of term isn’t thaaaat long and there’s always a school holiday or half term round the corner

And schools are closed for 13 weeks holidays too.

It's not the majority of the week. It's about 36 hours out of about 84 that they're awake, and only for three-quarters of the year.

Yes. Feel like I'm losing my shadow! But also looking forward to actually having some spare cash when I don't have to pay nursery fees!

It's natural to feel emotional but it's a new and exciting next step for you all and one you should really be happy about.

They're growing up and will have a great time meeting new friends and learning new stuff - weekend time together will be even more precious now.

Yes, i feel like i am losing my baby as hes going to be little boy instead (not like he isnt already). He is my only one too so not going to have a baby again.

However, i am looking forward to no nursery fees and getting to
find out about all the things he will learn.