First day at pre-school - should both parents take their child to school?

[Anna8888]

Last night my partner and I were having a general diary conversation about dates and arrangements for the next 3 months, and the date of my daughter's first day at pre-school cropped up.

My partner wants us both to take her on the first day as he feels its a special occasion for the whole family. I want to keep the event as low-key as possible and think I should take her on my own, as she is used to spending her days with me.

What do you think?

Gosh, I thought it'd have been like italy, where you have a two weeks induction (to the point that my friends have to seek permission for employers ).

I'm sure she'll have a nice time, sounds like a lovely place.

Franca - no, no kind-gentle-easing-in here in France - and the school we have chosen is as good as it gets . How is your DS doing? Any more thoughts?

You should both take her if that is what you both want to do. It is an important day and there is no reason why he shouldn't be there. Saying Daddy can't come makes it a bigger deal.

I am taking ds (2 yrs) to his kindergarten induction in half an hour, he will start there in Sept for one and a half days. DH probably won't come then as ds is already used to nursery so it won't be too different for him. We will probably both take him for his first day at pre-school when he is 4 though

Ds seems to be in a much better mood today, thanks Anna. Have invited one of his friends to play for one of the next afternoons. I also think he needs a long holiday, as I said, I think also "the pressure to learn" might have been to much for him...

Franca - good and, yes, he may just be tired and overwrought by the whole school thing and need to chill for a bit .

When are you off to Italy? I wanted to go back to Italy this summer but the friends we are going on holiday with wanted Greece, so we are going to Hydra (one week) and Folegandros (one week) with some Ancient Greek site visiting at either end.

I haven't been to Greece for 10 years now! I must admit I'm feeling a bit of of your holiday, Tuscany is indeed amazing, but the seaside is too busy, too "groomed" (can't come up with a better word ). But it's going to be fun anyway, and ds is looking forward to goinghttp://www.sangalgano.info/ here

Franca - I love Greece and I have been there lots of times - most recently always to Mytilene where a good friend of mine's parents have built a lovely house - though harder to go there now I have this big family in tow .

I know exactly what you mean about the Tuscan beaches being too "groomed" - I don't like that either. I love wild, empty beaches, and that is pretty hard to find in Italy. But I do love Italy and my partner's Italian is really improving (he takes classes at work) so I need to go back and brush mine up too or he'll be better than me .

It was very hard for us to reach a decision on our holidays, so I'm hoping for the best. Salina last year was so wonderful, so I hope we will have a repeat of the same good feelings.

Same here, I like wild, dramatic beaches. Yes, not an easy thing to find in Italy in August , but still possible in Greece, or so some of my friends, who've been going with the children for the last 3 years, say (can't remember where they go exactly, as memory has gone...).
I really hope we'll go to Salina next year again, I'm missing it already, especially Chiofalo's melanzane...

Have you been to Camber Sands and Winchelsea Beach (either side of Rye, on the Kent/Sussex border). I just ADORE those beaches...

No, I've never been to that part of England yet. Some fantastic beaches here in Devon, Branscombe beach being one of my favourite

We're thinking of going over Devon way in the late summer - if we can manage to leave our daughter with my parents .

Kent is actually really hard to get to from other parts of England, so lots of it, near the coast and in the Weald, is beautifully unspoilt. If you get the opportunity (May or June, if it's sunny, is the best time) try to go - I'm sure you'd love it. And I'll give you the best restaurant tips

Have you thought about both of you picking her up instead?
So making the drop off low key with just you and then making the pick up special with both of you.

It's an idea - but the morning starts at 9 am, which is feasible on my partner's way to work, but he'd have to make a special trip out of the office to pick her up at 11.45 am and he has a really busy week - school starts on Wednesday and he's off to NY on a work trip Thursday-Sunday. Depends on how organised he manages to be.

It would be good if he managed to do it and then you could all go out for lunch afterwards

Maybe... I'm not sure about lunch afterwards as I expect she'll be tired... only 2.10 . I expect she'll want the familiarity of her own bed for a nap.