please tell me all the good things about your children starting reception

[shelley72]

so what are the positives that i have to look forward to? because at the moment i am dreading tomorrow when i have to drop of DS. have been trying really hard (and failing miserably) to hold it together in front of him. he wants to know why i am so sad .

i have lied told him that big school will be fantastic and he will really enjoy it. but inside i am worried sick about him going. he wont know anyone at the school (was our third 'choice'). he has been to nursery so its not the letting go of my baby thing - well maybe a bit - but it just doesnt feel right. i cant explain. i dont want him to change into a horrible ill behaved monster (not that he's perfect). i dont want to lose my little boy. i dont want him losing his enthusiasm for knowledge and stop asking questions. i dont want him worrying about assessments, exams, pressure to do x,y,z and not keeping up with others. and how do i avoid that whole competetive parenting thing that ive read so much about here?

i think i am being very silly and maybe it will be better than i think - have sunglasses, tissues and a drink ready (so i cant cry). so tell me all the good stuff about your DC starting school. please?

He will gain more enthusiasm for learning & knowledge

He'll learn through playing

He'll make friends

He 'll make you cry watching him in the Xmas play

You'll get to cheer him on at sports day

He'll learn to read & write

Reception was brilliant for my DS1, he has loved it and he didn't know anyone berfore he went. They spend most of their time playing, we saw pictures at a parents evening presentation, all the kids were doing things, running, painting, rolling tyres, rolling balls down tubes, it looked great.

I was anxious for him for the first term (had a bit of cry on the first day), its only natural it feels a big step for them but honestly its been great and he was raring to go back this week in Year 1.

Also, I've never seen any of the behaviour that has been posted on MN (I'm not denying it happens) so either I'm lucky, they are really unlucky or it has passed me by. Its not competitive at this stage, if some parents are, avoid them. Its more about getting the children settled into school, learning how to behave their and keeping their enthusiasm for learning.

Shelley, I have some of the same fears as you. I know it probably won't happen, but I also don't want DS1 to 'change'. I don't want him to pick up undesirable behaviour (ok, and language) from older children. I don't want him to be modified into someone who has to conform, who has to squash his individuality. I don't want us never to have the time (or energy) to go off on little adventures, or just potter around happily.

I know none of these things are likely to happen. Our DC are who they are. As long as we support them in this new change and remind them to remain true to themselves, it'll be fine. I suspect that most of what you're worried about doesn't even apply at this early stage.

I left DS1 at school this morning and he was a bit nervous, but basically happy. He was pleased to be back among his peers after a long summer, and excited to be starting Big School. I'm trying to see it through his eyes and remember that it's very exciting for them, and makes them feel so grown-up!

thank you all. DS is excited about big school and so i am grateful for that at least - if i had to peel him off my leg then that would make it so much harder. i am hoping that as you say, DCs dont actually change that much and that the first 5 years of work isnt all undone. i just hope that school will be good for him, or i am going to have to think of a plan b pretty quickly.

and to more tearful nativities. have wailed been through two already!

They and you will both make lots of lovely new friends.