How can I help a little Inferiorette feel better about going back to school tomorrow?

[motherinferior]

DD1 had her first reception day today...and boy oh boy do I have my come-uppance from all my blithe assertions she'd be fine, more than ready, life and soul by the end of the day, etc etc etc. She has, I think, had some nice bits but she's also done a bit of crying - during the day as well as on her return - and she's informed me tonight through her tears that (a) the best bit was coming home (b) she wishes she didn't have to go tomorrow (c) she misses her sister.

I know, I know, I know this will pass. And that DD1 is never someone to leave the potential for tragedy unwrung out of any situation (er, yes, wonder where she gets that from?) and she's also tense and hungry, and has been poorly. I've tried my best to chill her out about it, and so has her father although he's actually away, so a phone call from him obviously doesn't give her the daddy-hug she could do with. I really do think DD1 is ready for school, and I also know it's better that she feels like this now rather than later. But what can I do to make her feel better about the whole thing?

[motherinferior]

Well....phew.

Thanks in great part to you lot, I think we've turned a corner. Doubtless we'll turn back again, especially on Monday after a two day break - but I have one much, much smilier little girl on my hands. She only cried, I think, at lunchtime when the other kids finished before her; and she's very excited about things she did and the fact they're having some sort of teddy bears' picnic tomorrow, and generally beginning to feel like a Big Girl who goes to school 'without little sisters, mummy,' as she cheerily put it.

I daresay we'll have tears again tomorrow, though. How are the little fish, Cod and Anchovy?

[Anchovy]

I did the worst thing possible on DS's first day today - was late to pick him up! Was actually given the wrong info by the deputy head and when I got there there was just poor solitary little DS with his back pack on and the classroom assistant. It was only 15 mins out fortunately, and I haven't as yet detected any long term abandonment issues. Actually, he was remarkably unruffled and on the walk home launched into a long and baffling story as to how you have to wear a necklace if you want to go to the toilet: I'm still pondering over what that could be.

[littlerach]

Oooh, yes, the toilet necklace!! DD1 had one of those at nursery! Simply a necklace they have to wear if they go to the loo on their own.

[motherinferior]

You probably need to get a special tag thing you wear round your neck.

[zippy539]

Bit of a hi-jack but just want to say thanks to whoever suggested the 'you're in my heart, I'm in yours' trick. I used it this morning with DS re nursery and it worked a treat ... except somewhere along the line it got corrupted into 'I'm in your heart, you're in my bum' . Nevermind - it worked all the same, so thanks

motherinferior - I'm so glad that your DD1 had a good day - long may it last !!!

[Anchovy]

Well, why? Does it show that they are out of their class on an authorised wee-break or something?

[littlerach]

Yes, so if they meet another teacher, then they know they are out of class with permission.

I think it could also jog the class teachers memory that one of the pupils is out of the room, certainly at nursery!

[Anchovy]

Is there only one then, so they have to wait until someone has brought it back before they can go? Sorry, am just interested - although only just starting out at school we have long suspected DS is in training for MI5 and only passes on information on a "need to know" basis

[chatee]

MI,
Speak to the after school club staff[they work to day care standard guidelines}not educational and therefore should meet your dd's needs at the club, providing a quiet area with cushions and books/childrens tv/mini sofa and a nice snack too
i am a playleader at an after school club(my dd attends and was in reception last year)and having things like the above for the younger ones was great-and yes a few times we had a couple asleep on the cushions, we let them snooze for 30 mins and then gently wake them with the bribe of a snack..............it's jolly hard being a parent sometimes!!
hope you and your dd are happier this evening xx

[soapbox]

Anchovy - there are 3 reasons for it!

1. teachers know where any children wondering around are headed (there are different colours for different classes at DS's school) and if they get lost can be returned to the right place
   
2. Only 1 child gets to the loo at a time, which avoids water fights or long chats in the loos when they are supposed to be working
   
   
3. The most important one, if there is a fire, the teacher will check her neck and if she isn't wearing the necklace then send the classroom assistant at top speed to recover child from the loos!
   
   At Ds's school it isn't really a necklace but one of those coloured bands you wear in games lessons to show which team you are on!

[Anchovy]

Soapbox - thanks for this - you are fast turning into my mentor: I think I might have a bit of a crush on you , you are like the big girl at school who knows everything .

Hey ho, can see lots of trips to the toilet ahead for DS: he likes "things"

[soapbox]

Ooooh a girlie crush - how exciting

[edam]

Oh MI am soooo glad she's had a better day today. Bless her. Love the comment about without little sisters.

[clary]

MI good news about the better day for dd.
Anchovy, love the idea that ds is in trainign for MI5.
We too receive info on a need to know basis from ds1 (unless it's about lunch which he describes in detail!).
I love the way the smallies tell you detailed and baffling things that go on at school (eg dd today lots of detail about how many people allowed in the home corner at once and how you changed around etc).
Actually we are surprisngly (it wd appear) lucky - loos in reception and yr 1 at our school are ensuite to the class so no need of a necklace.
Here's to a good day tomorrow for all!

[motherinferior]

Yes, I got a detailed account of how if you get 'five rules' you have to go and see the head teacher - I sort of see what this means, but not really.

[aloha]

Good on the Inferiorette. She'll soon be Head Girl, I bet - official or unofficial.

xxx

[Issymum]

Yes, I thought I'd sent DD1 to school, but she appears to have been initiated into the Mafia where any deviation from a vow of silence will result in unpleasant things happening to horses' heads.

I have implemented a cunning and devious plan for extracting information from DD1 that doesn't involve thumb-screws. If you give her wrong information she can't resist issuing a correction.

Issymum: What did you have for lunch?
Mini Mafioso: Don't know.
Issymum: Oh so you had chocolate cake and fish balls.
Mini Mafioso: Noooo! That's stupid! We had spaghetti bolognese.
Issymum: Sorry, silly me!

[motherinferior]

I left her smiling today!!

[puff]

hurrah!

[GhostofNatt]

Aaah, so pleased. It is helping me fight the dreads for next week.

[Marina]

Great news MI, I just knew she'd get into the groove quickly. Glad to hear things have gone OK for your dd1 too Pamina, have been wondering how the week has worked out for you too.
All we need now is for cod to report that ds2 is feeling happier and we can all be smiling.
Not quite on a par with starting big school but dd is due to leave the Baby Unit and move across the path to Pre-School on Monday. She had a visit yesterday, spied her toddler best pal and they fell in to each others arms and then spent the whole morning hand-in-hand. Have been so worried about the move, looks like it will be OK.
Just wait til we're all on here panicking about Class As and Freshers' Week...

[GhostofNatt]

Is DD2 Ok with it all? My poor DS2 was saying "I'm going to that school too" hopefully when we had a visit yesterday from DS1's new teacher and teaching assistant and looking lustfully at DS1's new school bag...

[Bozza]

Aah yes DD (only 15 months) has taken to wandering around with DS's book bag (briefcase shaped) worn as a shoulder bag. This morning she rather fetchingly teamed it with her shorty yellow pjs and a bottle of my Coolwater perfume in the other hand.

[ghosty]

MI ... I am sorry you have had a crap time. I only just caught up with this thread so sorry for being a crap mate too
Glad that today was better!
I have no advice really bar the bribery thing. DS used to hang onto my leg when I left him at kindergarten so I used to bribe him with a treat on the way home (ice lolly from the shop ... milk shake at home .... that sort of thing).
The only thing that really fixed it was when I was out of action having DD and unable to drive for a few weeks and other people took him in (my dad, DH, friends). By the time I was up and at 'em again he was skipping in without a care in the world. I know DH isn't at home at the moment but is there anyone else your DD knows well who could maybe take her in for you a couple of times?