Life on the other side of the fence ....

[ghostofchristmaspast]

.... is soooo strange.
I am talking about the fact that my son is now at school and having been a primary school teacher for 10 years it feels seriously odd!
He only started last week ... they start ON their 5th birthday in NZ and already I am in danger of turning into the type of parent that I hated. For example, yesterday, when the teacher let them out, she said very loudly in front of all the other parents, "*** has been a bit tearful today," with no other explanation, and everyone was looking at me and at him. I was embarrassed and when we got home DS and I talked about it and it was only because, "I missed you Mummy, and school takes sooo long before you come and get me!" Which I reckon is a pretty normal thing for a little child to feel.
I went in this morning and talked to her about it and she was immediately defensive. I told her I wasn't worried I assumed that all new entrants go through a 'missing mummy' stage. I just asked her to keep an eye on him as he is very sensitive ....
I felt very strange doing all of this as I have dealt for years with sensitive, over bearing, parents ... and I left feeling very shakey and worried about him all day.

The other thing that is strange and actually made me laugh is that for all my teaching career I did all the school productions wherever I worked; I loved doing them but it was always a huge undertaking that was very stressful. Anyway, today DS took part in a Xmas concert and I proved a little theory of mine right: No parent gives a toss how good or crap the production is. All they want to see is their precious darling on stage.
That was me this morning ... I didn't watch any of the production or the other children ... I just sat there transfixed by my fabulous talented son who was dressed as a christmas present and had learned all the words of 'Rocking around the Christmas Tree' in only a week. Every time he looked at me I smiled and waved and gave him the thumbs up, like a prime wally ... as did all the other parents to their own little darlings.

Did any other ex teachers find it odd when their children started school??

Wow, ghosty.:) It's such a big step, isn't it? I'm not a teacher, as you know, but just wanted to say that your son sounds like a total wee star and I'm sure he'll settle before you know it. It is very, very normal to react to the change- there's a new little boy in one of my sons' year one classes and he's tearful at drop off time too.

And you ain't no prime wally, my friend. You are a doting mum and that's what your boy needs. The teacher will either take this on board or she won't- some know how parenting works and some don't, IME- her tough luck if she can't see it. Either way, keep doting because he sounds more than worth it.:)

Thanks Scummy ... you are always so sweet to me
You are right, he is sooo worth it .... I love him more than I have words to describe ...

aww ghosty - that's so lovely. he is a star to have learned all those words in a week - and sing them out loud on stage in front of a room of strangers...wow. DS1 is having his school play in a week and I'm already welling up at the thought.