If your child's starting in reception this week...

[motherinferior]

I've just read the first thread from a poster whose child's finding it tough starting school. I know there'll be more.

So I wanted to tell you that this time last year I had to start this thread about my DD1. She really found the first few weeks pretty tough.

And then she got the hang of it. By the next term she was the life and soul of the classroom (and DD1 is, er, quite spritely, so you kind of notice that she's there). She's now bouncing around saying how excited she is to go back...

...so yes, I really feel for you now if you're going through much the same thing, but please rest assured that it really should get better.

oh thank you MI - mine starts tommorrow and already in knots and think she will be too

ditto thanks from me, MI. I can live in hope...

Encouraging bump

My ds starts on the 11th and I feel quite sick now it is so close. He seems fine about it all, but not quite sure if it's sank in yet iYKWIM!!!

Back up what MI has said. DS struggled the first half term, with tiredness as much as anything. And then it gradually improved. And yesterday morning he went into the classroom buzzing with the excitement of seeing all his classmates again. And came home and said "I love it in year one mummy".

Thanks for this. Ds1 seemed fine this morning but I will wait and see how he is when I pick him up!
He's been really excited, but its me that feels awful - I keep thinking 'that's it, I've blown it, his preschool days are over and there's no chance now to go back and spend more time with him and do it properly'

i wonder if I will ever feel (I mean, and really believe) that I've done all right by him?

I second the thing about tiredness. DD1 was extremely tired at the end of each day in Reception and absolutely exhausted by the end of the week. I think she sometimes still had a 'hangover' going into school the next day and that tiredness made it harder for her to cope well with the separation. All we could do is put her to bed earlier and keep the after-school stuff really low key. She was still getting tired by the end of Reception, but it improved. Slightly.

Thanks for this MI.

Dd started reception yesterday. She seemed absolutely fine about it; but you wonder if it is the calm before the storm...

DD1 is bouncing with excitement (it's quite exhausting) at the prospect of going back tomorrow. She and her mate Cora and DD2 are zipping around, while I sit here absolutely drained (think small jolly vampires and exhausted red haired victim). I suspect her school is somewhat less demanding than Issymum's DD1's

Yes I am expecting extreme tiredness too - and the accompanying relapse in toilet training which we had all last year at nursery. I don't know what we can do about it - earlier bedtime logistically v difficult. I have done what I can to arrange alternative childcare to the afterschool club and will just have to hope for the best.
Will be worrying about whether I should be organising playdates though....

MI that's a great link - just what I needed. Left dd in tears again this morning, her fourth day. Yesterday she wasn't too bad so I hoped we were over the worst. It seems she's fine when I've gone - I don't think there are any tears throughout the day but I'd like nothing more than to drop her off and see her happy and keen to stay. It seems like it could be such a long way off at the moment but your thread shows there is hope!

thank you MI for posting this.
We all have the heebiegeebies in our house in trepidation of tomorrow.

IKWYM about logistics elliott. We were in the same position but it didn't last forever. The first half term was worst and then by about February there was a big improvement. And now I am wondering whether I can allow a later bedtime. Only 15 minutes but to give him some time after DD has gone to bed.

Thanks MI, what a lovely thought to start this thread for us "virgin school runners". DD doesn't start until the 16th Sept (they stagger the intake a few children at a time) and despite the fact she is champing at the bit to get started, I am decidely apprehensive and (and I know this sounds rather daft) a bit "bereaved" at the loss of a period in our lives that can never be regained (if that makes sense).

Thanks for this - my ds does not start until the 20th and he is very excited about when he can where his uniform and take his new lunch bag but I am still incredibly nervous for him.

Well, she loved the first day! They did cooking and they could play whatever they wanted. I think she was in heaven. Was obviously anxious when we left, but Had a big smile when she came out. Said she didn't miss me at all and she's really looking forward to tomorrow.

Don't think every day will go so well, but am pleased this one did.

zdl, that sounds lovely.

Comeoveneer, I know exactly what you mean. It is a watershed moment and there is something about it that makes you think 'there's no turning back now'......I am surprised how nervous and upset about it I feel....ds starts on the 11th. My heart sinks as he's always found separating from me hard and cried most days I left him at pre-school, and he was there a year!

So I'm not looking forward to it all really, even though I want him to love it and have a fab time!

Hello MI my dd started today so it's interesting to read the problems. She was really worried as she knew no-one in her class and told me she'd forgotten how to make friends.
Thank god when I went to pick her up at lunchtime she was talking to someone. Calmed my fears.

DD1 starts on 11th. No doubt in a few years this momentous occasion will pale (remember when weaning and potty training were big deals?!). But I'm getting the occasional attack of butterflies even though she's looking forward to starting school, has met some of her new classmates and had a great introduction to her teacher and classroom. But my little girl isn't so little anymore, those toddler years are gone. And I'm gonna miss 'em even while we're enjoying the years to come.