AIBU to think first day of primary school celebrations are excessive?

[EineyMiney]

Hi, we live in Scotland so today was DSs first day of school, starting primary 1. I’m just home from dropping him off and I can’t help but think what a circus!
We didn’t do anything special, just a normal school morning, no balloons, DH didn’t take the morning off, no grandparents came over. I was really trying to make sure DS wasn’t overwhelmed.
However, when I dropped DS off, there were multiple families with both parents, younger siblings, grandparents at the gate getting pictures. The school did say only 2 parents in the classroom but even this felt like too many and I’m not sure why it couldn’t be one parent per child.
In addition to that I noticed almost all the children had the bloody expensive optional blazers! Why? They are only 4 or 5!
Then I got home opened instagram and now I’m seeing plenty of children with balloons saying first day of school!

AIBU to think this is totally excessive and not necessary and probably not even good for the children who are just going to be overwhelmed.

Ask the school about first day arrangements, they’ll try to keep him away from any madness.

You're right, you're not, but you did say it's not a big milestone, yet it is for others.

I’ve seen the frilly play suits and shorts as well, absolutely ridiculous. A definite “type” who will put their kids in those for school, and not ones I’d associate with. Kid usually called “Paisleigh” or some such too.

When mine started p1 they were only in till lunchtime for weeks they went full time just before the October break.

Ok and I've no problem with them going through the palaver.

Puts extra pressure on kids though

It wasn't the blazers for me but the short, tight skirts even little girls were wearing. Not practical at all.

I see. By many of the reactions it seemed like it was seen as no big deal & there are indeed miserable folk acting like any recognition is over the top!

we didn’t do any “celebratory” type stuff but we did get a picture of dd with grandparents as that is what mine did with me & db and they have passed now so the pictures are a nice memory. i don’t think it’s wrong to take pictures, children aren’t little for long at all and a relative they are taking a picture with could pass the next day. i’m not a fan of making a massive deal out of it and having balloons or anything like that as it makes it less of a smooth transition but that’s my personal opinion and i couldn’t give a toss what others do.

This

I think it is a big milestone, but that doesn’t mean it needs balloons, pyjamas, or frilly drawers 😂

Im sure schools are capable of dealing with that if it’s an issue

I agree. Just it seems OP & others think GPs & both parents being there is OTT.

Summed it up perfectly! The PJs & frilly bums is horrendous, but sadly I'm not surprised.

Do you hsve to have a ridiculouly long period of settling in too like a lot of English schools ?

Ah OP, you would hate me!
My DD started P1 last year, we got her a balloon, some fresh flowers for her bedroom and a card. None of this made it to the school gate and we don't post our children on social media, so it wasn't for likes.
DD was nervous, so turning it into a big celebration really helped her, for other children it may make it worse, we all know our own kids best. DD didn't cry once going in and settled really well, though we were nervous as she is a January baby and has ended up being the youngest in her year (I'm guessing any February or other January birthdays who would have been in her class, were held back).

Grandparents came to the house in the morning to see her in uniform and get some pics, then kept DD2 so DH and I could walk DD down ourselves.
She also had a blazer and tartan pinafore.
At the end of the day everyone approaches these things differently, there is no prescribed best way, we just all want to do what is best for our children.

As for the frilly uniforms, they thankfully haven't taken off down here, at least not in our village, I think they are dreadful, but some people love them and it doesn't harm anyone.

The curse of bloody instagram

How? The only way is by stopping extras come in and for that they will get abuse!

On the first day of school school staff are already rather busy without having to deal with 50 extra adults hanging around too!

By sending an email out beforehand saying only 1 or 2 people can come into school and drop the child off? Not hard is it!

When my DD started they very strictly in all the communication before hand made it clear only two adults per child, they didn't allow any extras in at all and had a classroom assistant on the gate reminding everyone. Seemed to work well, but our school has only 22 children in DDs year.

Doorstep photo in the morning, 1 in the playground and in they go. A ree trip to. Smyth's to choose a pressies after the first week to celebrate. Each to their own though.

That happens. People ignore it though! Sadly they think it doesn’t apply to them or it’s not fair so they will do it anyway.

It used to be like that when i was a child in the 70s in my school at least
You started the term you turned five .

We have a different date of birth intake too but a hugely staggered start in NI so basically all of September is part time!

Yeah of course. I’m sure all the parents ignore it and turn up with extended family 🤣 that doesn’t sound exaggerated at all.

just like all the posters who think people do this “for social media” purely because they have seen it on social media

It is ridiculous and more for the parents than the kids. I wasn't working on my ever so slightly nervous son's first day so dropped him off with his lunchbox and reading bag, hug, kiss, and off he went with his teacher. He came out smiling at the end. Granny took him the next day and he was great. We had a special family meal and games on Friday with grandparents but it was all very chilled.