God, I'm gonna miss my 'spare' babies!

[MaureenMLove]

I'm getting all mauldlin about giving it all up. In favour of snotty teenagers, what am I thinking!

I just read a thread about a 2yr 10mth who doesn't like 'school' and I'm remembering taking one of my mindees to nursery. He was painfully shy. It was heartbreaking to leave him, but I built his confidence with other clubs and things and now I see him steaming in and out of Yr 2, with a hareem of girls around him, lording it up! He's fab.

Then there was the 2 year old who I took to a toddler gym and then for hours after would walk around with her arms stretched out and say, 'Mo, look at me, I've got my fairy wings on!' It was a balancing thing.

The schoolies are always a challenge, but fab for getting the arts & craft stuff going. And cooking too. Quite a few have learnt how to make pasta dishes with me! Essential for life, I feel!

18 'spare' children have come through my door in the last 12 years, the oldest is now 16! She still links arms with me and calls me her auntie if I see her. I have loved everyone of them. (Well, there was one, but lets not dwell on it! )

I will so miss holding their little, soft hands and skipping down the road. I'll miss chatting to them, in that unique language and world that under 5's live in. I will miss feeding time too. Such a special time for bonding and laughing and I will soooo miss the cuddles.

Oh umm! Time to move on.

hug mo!

Soppy moo, aren't I? There were plenty of bad times too, but I appear to be wearing my rose coloured glasses this evening! I love the smell of them too, when they've just woken up and still need a cuddle! Love smelling their heads!

Anything thats ME coloured has to look good..Aw Mo, its somethign you can always come back to if you feel you need to, but give this new job a go, you may run screaming for the hills(of ofsted paperwork) or you may love the new age range..whichever, you'll be fab, you know you will.x

Oh Mo! Bless you. Brought a tear to my eye reading it (and you think you're soppy!!).

I bet every single one of your 18 'spare' children will remember you with fondness

Oh yes, there's nothing like the damp smell of a toddler's head.

Awwwwwww that's so sweet, it is a shame but at least you can look back knowing you gave them all the best love and care and you have helped create happy memories that will last those children for the rest of their lives, it's so special, you are a special person and you don't stop bring special just because you are doing a different job, teenagers need love and understand too, maybe you will get into the lingo and will soon be able to keep us all up to date with the new words, any dealing with teenagers advice is always welcome, don't know about anyone else but personally i'm scared!!

Think about the nappies and the sick and the snot.

Then think about girl clothes, make up, nipping out for lunch, term-time off etc etc.

fanks! I used to have a back door with pictures of mindees from top to bottom on it. Everyone of them, plus various god children. The backdoor was taken off at the end of last year, so the pictures came off. I might have to go and have a little look at them all.

Ohhhh! I've got it now Rose. I read it 4 times, out loud, but I've got it now! ROSE coloured!

I may regret saying this, but may I borrow your youngest for a fix, Kbear?

DOH!
Just ordered a parmo! so of for bath then that should be here, just rang mam to pass on inf from elenor on other thread, brother and mam have just ordered huuuuge chinese takeaway..am sooo hungrrrrrryyyyyyy

Excellent Rose. A couple of the recent posters on that thread, look like they could really help and advise.

oh MO - that op made me cry

sounds like you've been an excellant "spare Mummy" to all those various "spare babies"

Aw mo! Bless you - you will be feeling all wobbly it's a big change and littlies are luverly!

I think it is great you are having a new challenge though, and it wonderful you have so many lovely memories and bonds.

Although he won't admit it, I think DH is going to miss them too. They've always taken a shine to him. He works from home most days and they'd spend hours sitting on the bottom stair, shouting up to him, 'cup of tea, Eeyore!'

I bet he will Mo, they are saps really. As much as my DH moans about living in a nursery (his words!) he always says hello and has a little play with them. They all walk him to the door when it's work time and wave him off.

As for you my dear! You will no doubt feel very soppy, and I am sure there are tears to come. Hang in there, leaving any job is hard and one where children touch your lives is that much harder. x

Oh Mo, what a lovely OP I was a wreck when my first ever mindee left to go to private school, you're gonna need the BIGGEST box of tissues on your last day eh!!! I know you're going to really miss them all but FWIW, I think that you'll love the change, especially to have your house back How strange is that going to be!!! Remind me.....when is your last day?

18th April, is the offical last one, but it may be before that, because its the school holidays. Pre-school one go on last day of March. That one is going to be tough. She LOVES DH and she is so happy here. Her mum has already told me, the only place she can leave her without her screaming is my house and that includes family and close friends.

Look at this One of my parents bought this for me. Look at the words - perfect!

Bless Mo, going to be hard And yes, remember seeing that, so beautiful! Words mean a hell of a lot don't they!! I felt so much more emotional reading the references I got recently than I have over any present or anything - much more personal.

It's not just the kids and parents who'll miss you, we'll all miss you too!!!

Ah, but I'll still be in the Staff Room. I'll be home by 3.10 every day, with nothing to do AND every six weeks I'll have a school holiday for at least a week! Maybe I shall take the roll of CM advisor! My mum is a retired head teacher, but still goes into schools, trouble shooting, so maybe I could do that for you. I'll call myself MentorMo or something and my advisory centre opening hours will be 3.30 - 5.30, Monday to Friday!

Sounds a fab idea!!!