starting reception tips please

[magicfarawaytree]

has anyone who children have already started reception got any adivce on surving reception year. ie parties when invited or not, dealing with the fall out of playground politics etc.

haven't been through it yet myself but dd1 will be starting in 2 weeks as well. Have already decdied to develop and try to nurture a thick skin as far as parties are concerned. the truth is that you can't invite everyone in a class to a party, not can you expect to be invyed to every one organised and I've told dd this. It doesn't mean she's not liked, it simply means there aren't enough spaces at the party. And i plan to smile broadly and say hello to anyone who crosses my path at the school gates so that i can't be accused of being a mrs-kiss-me-arse by those people who are paranoid about being ignored.

arrange playdates

smile at everyone

make friends with other parents

do not involve yourself in other people's parties .. if your child is not invited he will probably not care .. if your child is then that's lovely ... do not bitch to anyone that your kid has not been invited .. accept how difficult it can be

playground is for your child .. make sure they know how to make friends by showing them

enjoy it

its a blast

Have tissues handy for first day. Be prepared for a grumpy tired child the first week or so and don't get them too involved in after school activities and playdates for a while. Try to be enthusiastic and positive when talking to other parents and teachers but not pushy or competitive ! Try to have the right kit on the right day and be on time.

dd didn't miss too many parties but her class was small so it is relatively easy to invite them all - she went to as many as were feasible especially at the beginning of the year and I or dh stayed. Those she didn't get invited to didn't bother her, so don't take it personally. Agree about people surprising you - don't take people at face value, they may be shy or distracted rather than deliberately distant.

Oh excellent thread, will def. add this to my watch list.

these comments are very reassuring. have tried to make the whole thing like an exciting new adventure for dd. but secretly quite scared for her and a bit for me. find the whole playground mummy/ politics a bit daunting. I'm not one of lifes natural fitters and I really dont want dd to have those hang-ups.

I agree with sobernow saying that it brings back your own playground paranoias, I had to try really hard not to let that show to dd1 last September. Dd2 starts in 2 weeks, so I will be feeling like a veteran, and looking out for any newbie parents looking like I did this time last year! You will get a lot of enjoyment from your LO getting to grips with everything. I hope it goes really well for you both.