Good luck to everyone who has a child starting at reception this week

[Schnullerbacke]

DD turned 5 today and since bedtime I have been sitting on computer, looking at baby pictures, shedding tons the odd tear. Time has flown, am sure most of you have felt it at some point, and now the time has come for our babies to start school. It feels odd, seeing the last 5 year as a block, its all been fun, had great times. Now it feels as if life is turning very serious and I don't like it.

Of course they still need us but I have this feeling that they will pull away and grow up even faster now, wanting to be with their friends more and more, not so much depending on us.

So, here is to our babies - I hope they will all have a great school start. Here is to us Mums - hope this week won't be too hard on us.

[privateprancer]

thanks arsey . Am being soft as she's only doing half days til christmas and only one extra day from what she's been doing at nursery but it's just that it's the start of a long journey

[happystressedmum]

My DD has only just turned 4 too and she is so petite that she doesnt look old enough to go to school. having said that I think she is ready for it, intellectually. She is such a mummy's girl and I am absolutely dreading it - she starts next Monday! I am already tearful reading your posts so know I am going to be crying when I drop her off next week so will have to wear HUGE sunglasses.

[EustaciaVye]

DD2 started this morning. I had a little cry yesterday when she put all her uniform on 'to practice' so I'd got rid of it all this morning when she I had to be brave. She just sailed in...

[AmandaMummy]

Can't believe my little girl has started school today. Been finding it so hard, even though we've been preparing for this day for weeks - every little thing in the house has been setting me off crying, seeing her toys and craft pieces we've made together. Missing her so much today.

[Hippymum89]

You could always Home Educate... I did and now we flexi-school :o

[Jdub]

Absolutely - here's to them, and here's to us mums too! My eldest turned 5 on Sept 1, and I feel happier and think it'll really help him being the eldest in the class, and what I hope for most is that he will love school as much as I did!

[ramade]

My DD will start on wednesday. I nearly cried as I walked around ASDA and realised that we wont eat our sandwiches together anymore.

[MerylStrop]

DD started today. Skipped in merrily. I just keep thinking how she's got all that conforming to do now and the freedom of the summer and her preschool years is gone in an instant.

And on the other hand, the baby is asleep and it's very peaceful.

I also have a DS, going into yr 2 today. Schnuller you said about pulling away and growing up faster - whilst the growing up is true, DS is closer and even more affectionate now. He still feels all mine.

[AngryFeet]

DS is starting next Monday. To be honest I am looking forward to it, he is ready to start learning and I am ready to move onto the next stage of parenthood! I already have a DD starting Y2 so I will have an 'empty nest' too but I don't see it like that. After all they are only out of the house for 6 hours a day 5 days a week and although they make lots of friends they still want to be with you the most! I will be taking advantage and doing some more hours at work and hopefully some volunteering at a local hospice. Bring it on I say!

[Peachy]

No don;t stop blubbing you lot! it never ends anyway.

This week sees ds1 start comp (his first AD palcement to boot), and ds4 start nursery; I should be a pro but I still cry like baby.

Just stock up on tissues, get used to crying (nativity season soon you know...) and give your little ones massive hugs when they come home!

[Tillyscoutsmum]

DD starts tomorrow. She is very excited. She turned 4 in May and is tall for her age but still looks so diddy in her school uniform . DS is going to miss her loads. They have had a fantastic time together over the holidays. He's going to be lost without her

[carriedababi]

my starts next week, shes a summer babu too so seems far far too young to me.

now they are stealing her away from me wahhhhh!!!!

really hope it goes well for her though.

[hardcolin]

Schnullerbacke I know exactly how you feel, I felt the same in when my dd started in January this year. I was gutted and felt it was the end of the carefree days.
Dd has had several months under her belt in Reception but she is still my baby (only turned 5 last month).

It's harder on Mums than it is on the little ones. They have a great time and the first year is mainly about getting them to be as independent as they can at their age, away from parents/helpers.

Reception is pretty cool. Dress them in clothes they are confident in for PE days (ie for undressing themselves easily). The teachers don't really have the time to help dress/undress 25 or so little people, and it will give your dc some added confidence.

I will say to anyone out there looking for advice: do keep yourself busy, even in the first week or so. I found I had a really low day about five days after school started which took me by surprise as I thought I was 'fine'.
So keep minds/hands busy. Get out of the house for a while if you can, if you are a SAHM.

Good luck to all those starting this week and next! They are so tiny but are braver than they let on .

[carriedababi]

good advice about keeping yourself busy, i think i will have to paln something to do on my dds first day.
although she be home before lunch so can't go too far away!
might find some sort of diy job to do

[Rowgtfc72]

Dd (five next March) starts tomorrow, half days this week. Not in catchment for the nursery she went to so she will only know one girl. She is so excited and so am I. Weve had a mummy and little girl day today because tomorrow she knows she will be my big girl. I would say we're getting closer now as well. We have girly chats and play with make up. She needs space away from me to do her own thing, make her own desicions and discover who she is and what she can do. And I just need the space (woo hoo three hours a day !) . Joking aside I will miss her but its what happens when you sign up for motherhood .

[EggyAllenPoe]

DD starts on thursday...we haven't got a uniform yet! Though i did get her a summer dress it isn't looking summery here.

the combined forces of Virginmedia and holidays have kept me off MN for a bit, for the most part anyway..

i have been madly cleaning even though it is raining, as we have a home visit tomorrow from DD1s teacher.

DD can't wait - she has been bounding about telling everyone about going to Big School. She is so very different from me that i have no doubt her experience of school won't be the same as fine (for better or worse!)

As DH has finally got a job (whooop!) after a short 30 month hiatus, i will have two days with just DD2 and me >little sad<

i don't doubt we will find good things to do though.

[BabyGiraffes]

dd1 only turned 4 a few weeks ago and is starting full time school tomorrow. Gulp. She just told me she is really looking forward to it and I am quite determined not to let on how daunting I find the whole idea. Ah well, I bought myself a large pack of very chocolately biscuits for tomorrow and also stocked up on calpol for the inevitable start of term bugs heading our way. I am sure she is going to be absolutely fine but she really is so so young for five full days at school.
Good luck to everyone!!!

[notevenamousie]

My DD went in just fine today - they have half days, half the class each half of the day, for the first week and a half. She looked wonderful [biased] and was nervous, smiley and tearless. Very proud mummy today :)

[Lilithmoon]

PFB starts tomorrow full time. First tears for me have started reading this thread. Well done to everyone for getting through the first day .

[groovejet]

dd2 starts on Wednesday am not looking forward to it although she is! She has just turned 4 and is tiny so looks far too young and small to be going. Her sister is a September birth so had a whole year on her when she started Reception so found that much easier to deal with.

Only 1/2 days until October and then I really won't know what to do with myself, although have managed to pick up some weekday shifts at work in term times so that will fill a couple of the week days.

Going to be biting my lip hard on Wednesday when I send her in to the classroom.

[conkerchops]

my dd1 starts next monday with half days until october and she is so so excited!....i was v tearful earlier in the year thinking about it but now am just swept up in her excitement...even though she only turned 4 in july she is definitely ready and i know it is the right next step for her!....i think it helps that our neighbours daughter who she adores will be in the year ahead and they have arranged to walk together on monday am!...i am just dreading the endless name taping i have to do this week as the final bit of getting us ready!!

[2cats2many]

DD starts on Thursday. I am feeling very wobbly about it all. Its the beginning of something amazing for her, but I can't help feeling its the end of something amazing for me

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

DS1: "Mummy, why don't I have many pairs of trousers that fit me right now? I only have, like, one and all the rest are shorts or these grey ones."

Me: "Because you're going to school soon and you... won't....need.....many..... other...... clothes. Small Trotwood, I'm just going to the loo as I've got something in my eye, OK?"

He starts Wednesday. Waaaahhhh! (But not in front of him, obv.)

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

2cats2many how well put.