Support thread for parents burying their heads in sandpits with PFBs off to school

[MrsWembley]

Am I the only one, stood here looking at my DD and thinking,

'nooooooooo, you can't be ready, you can't be about to leave me forever, they can't have you, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...'

I'm fine with it, really. It's just, well, there's only three and a half weeks to go.

How have others dealt with it? How will you deal with it? How will I react to it? Glad of the peace? Sad at the thought that someone else is now teaching her? Missing her company? Grateful for the time alone with DS?

And how do people deal with school politics? And then there's all those frightful stories I've read on here about dealing with other parents!

If you've been there, please come and help us. If you too are sitting around, pretending it's not about to happen, come here to carry on the pretence.

Not just me then, Adikia, though I've only just finished one ribbon flower belt. My excuse is that it will stop DD tying knots in it if it's sewn rather than just tied, but my prime motivation is that it's pretty.

I'm telling myself the reason for the scrunchies is that I couldn't find any the right colour (have to be maroon or white) but that doesn't really explain why I have sewn tiny maroon flowers with tiny glass beads in the middle on the white ones.

I didnt get upset when dd1 went to school 4 years ago. This was because the twins were only 9 months old, still teeny tiny, and had lots of hospital apps etc etc. So i still had lots to occupy me.
But now ddi1 is going into yr 4. And the twins are starting reception.
And I am broken at the thought of all 3 of my kids being in school.

I was looking to dropping them all off and coming home and going back to bed for 6 hours. You know just to try and catch up on the last 5 years.
But no, i found my perfect job 8 weeks ago and they have asked me to go full time from week after next. Great for the family finances, not good for my state of mind.

So the plan is to hold it together Tues, Wed and Thursday and go straight to work from school.
Friday when I'm not working I will drop them off, come home and break my heart.

Just found out today I can order her uniform online and collect it from the shop!

Yey...

Galena, if it's the Gromit hunt that gave it away, I've never been shy about living in Bristol. I don't post anything to worry about who might recognise me. I hope the operation goes ok!

:) We're in Cheltenham... Down to Frenchay in Nov...

DD starts on Wednesday - she was so excited today because 'It's September! I start school in September!'

^^ if your wanting to make scrunchies, you can buy a summer dress and cut it up. (Save this years summer dresses for next years scrunchies.)

that's what my mum always did for me, she used to cover Alice bands with bits of old dress too.

I've had to use ribbon because it was cheaper.

Wow poorbuthappy that's some major life changes you're facing this month. I hope everything goes smoothly for you all.

I love all your photos of your DC in their uniforms. They all look so proud, bless them.

I've ordered DS's uniform from M&S today. I can collect it from my local Simply Food, which is really handy. I just need to get his feet measured and buy shoes, wellies and plimsolls now. The coat can wait a few more weeks.

If they have a PE bag and a book bag, do they need an actual school bag? I think DS will only have a water bottle to carry to and fro, so a bag seems a bit much just for that.

DS said last week 'It's September on Sunday and that's when I go to Big School.' He's actually got another two weeks until his first afternoon, he's going to go off the idea at this rate .

Awwww, DD gets to have her pic in the local paper on Wed. They've been following our story of trying to raise money for her op, and do regular updates on her. They're coming to take a pic of her in her uniform tomorrow... Can I manage not to cry? :)

Fuming with rage and disappointment at DS's school. Still no info about anything, no reply from the head to my letter outlining this omission, and totally fobbed off by school office when I phoned to find out when the school day starts, whether they'd have dinners in the first week, etc

They really do not give the tiniest toss.

Fobbed off how, herb? I don't understand how they can fail to answer a straightforward question...

I'm not surprised you're getting cross. Can you actually go in and speak to them face-to-face and not leave till you have the answers you want?

I asked about school times for the second site, and got an answer. I asked about school dinners, and she said she didn't know, and the teacher would call me back. Then she put the phone down.

Ugh. I'd be really struggling with taking my child to that school, as I'm sure you are. It's ridiculous! Can you go and talk to them at all?

Aw Galena, I bet she'll look fantastic in the paper.

Herb, that's ridiculous. they should bloody well know these things! I'd be fuming too.

11 hours til my little girl starts school, she is growing up too fast.

It's breaking my heart, TBH. Especially compared to so many on here, and many if his friends, who have had home visits, peo

Oops! People coming to see the children at nursery, etc. I just can't bear the thought if him going in there, along with 30 strangers, to an unfamiliar place... However lovely the teacher, it's the general uncaring culture I can't take.

Wheels are turning for us to appeal on medical grounds, but it may well not work.

Herby, that's awful!

I'd be writing letters to governors if I were you. And the paper, if I wasn't worried about being seen as the trouble-maker by other parents.

And yy to going there in person and demanding some bloody customer service. They seem to forget that, just because we don't get a choice, we're still the end user and should always get the best they can give.

If I knew who the governors are, or how to get hold of them, I'd be right on to them!

Oh herbaceous I feel so sorry for you. Can the ACE educational advice line offer any help?

They have reopened today after the summer break so might be busy but worth contacting?

In other news, the head teacher of DS's school has emailed me, apologising for the total lack of information, saying a welcome pack should have been sent by wasn't, that we'll have lots of info by the end of the week, and that her first priority is improving communication with parents.

A pathetic part of me feels bad for being mean to her. I'm such a sap.

In the meantime, the necessary forms are being dealt with to possibly get him moved...

Well, just back from dropping off DD, she went in with a big smile on her face, I was allowed to help her find her peg and tray, given a quick hug then told 'you can go now Mummy, I'll be fine' as she skipped off and vaguely waved in my direction hope everyone else's first drop off went/goes as well.

That's good news herbaceous. Don't feel bad about being mean, how bad has she made you feel for the whole summer with her lack of communication?

herb - so glad you have finally got a reply! The head is new isn't she? Hopefully she will be making some BIG improvements.

adikia - sounds great! .Glad it went well.

Well, DH took DD in today and she cried BUT, the lovely teacher realised straight away and took her in by the hand. DH was left standing but managed to hold it together bless him!

I have just got home from work and she's told me all about it - full of chatter and can't wait to go back tomorrow! She got a sticker for "being kind" and even lit a candle in assembly apparently with a big boy ! I'm so happy the first day has gone well. I may start to relax now.

Well that sounds v positive THC! I'm still unsure whether to take a packed lunch, whether he can leave his scooter there, etc etc but will be terribly, terribly jolly for him.

Pictures of him in uniform (well, an M&S jumper until I locate the proper school one) now on profile.

Glad today went well for your DCs, Adikia and THC.

Herby, that sounds a little more positive. At least you've had an answer as to why you hadn't previously had an answer...

Had the home visit this morning, lots of questions answered for me too (but only because I didn't take in everything we were told at the meeting in June). Then we went to Sainsbury's to buy blouses and a skirt. Thought we'd go with what someone suggested up thread, buy from all over and work out which is best, wear and cost-wise. Tried her in it this evening and had a bit of a horrid shock. She didn't look like my little girl anymore. I know she's her own person and everything but how she looked really drove it home.