Do most children love school?

[Criteria16]

It might seem a very philosophical question, but there is a context, I promise!

We are currently abroad visiting family and friends, in our country of origin (Southern Europe). My 5yo son - who's going to be in Y1 in September - is having a great time but he's also regularly asking to go back to school. He had a fantastic time in Reception, walking in enthusiastically every single day, making great progress and building relationships. During the break his days are filled with fun and relax: days out at theme parks, outdoor swimming pools, parties with friends, playdates, beach breaks, very spoiled by extended family, few to no restrictions in terms of bed/screen time....Really no reason to wanting to end it, but a genuine desire to go back to his school friends, learning and routine I guess.

I commented with my in-laws that I had similar comments from other school friends and family friends of similar age, basically lukewarm reaction to start the holidays (all from neurotypical children in average families, not situations in which life at home is difficult or other issues).

I was telling this being positively surprised and proud, but my in-laws think I am lying and there is no way children WANT to go to school.

Tell me I am right and your children also love school:).

I would say it depends on the age. My older two had no problems going to school at a young age, but because I am stay at home mum, they would have rather stay home with me. My eldest now loves going to school, now that she is in secondary and more independent. My youngest loves school, but she misses me of course.

Yeah my 6 year old adores it! Doesn’t hide it at all, really looks forward to going. My 5 yr old does too but pretends he doesn’t. So he will say he doesn’t want to go, but happily trots off then moans when I pick him up early from afterschool club 😂

This is heartbreaking 💔

I think it was going into Y2 that DS1 cried himself to sleep the night he realised he didn't go back to school for another 3 days. He wouldn't do that now (teenager)! I didn't realise he liked it that much at the time, but he liked the structure, seeing his friends, and he had some really good teachers he liked being taught by.

Mine hates it. Always has and it's dreading going back.
He's had a lot of problems though with bullying.
He's also on the spectrum (albeit slight) with suspected ADD.
I am dreading him going back, I worry every day due to bullying.

My primary aged DC cried today because they said they missed school and their friends 😢😢😢

Personally I think 4 weeks at summer would be better, with an extra week at Easter and Christmas so the holidays are more evenly spread out.

Ds1 neither liked or hated school but loved college
Ds2 hated reception but was mostly ok after that
Ds3 loved reception but wasn't keen after that
Ds4 loves school and is really looking forward to secondary next week. He has seen some of his friends and talked endlessly to them on the phone but he has missed seeing them every day
Ds5 hates school apart from maths.

My son keeps saying he loves school during this summer holiday and I think he is partly doing a little bit of self- soothing/ reassuring, which is great, but also he does love the learning side of things at school. Social time not so much.
He checks in with a comment about what next year's going to be like every so often and I think this is fairly healthy...

I wish they all did. I find school a very one size fits all approach to education. My daughter has EBSA and has shown genuine emotional distress about going in to school. It is heartbreaking to see. I was fine in school, as was DP, they’ve never been given days off (unless absolutely needed ofcourse)

She has left the school grounds to come after me. She has had to be held by teachers. Now she won’t go near the place.

I so wish she loved or even liked school.