I hate school ! (thats me, not DD)

[Debris]

My daughter started in reception last September, she settled well, there have been a few little ups and downs ,but generally ok, however, I just hate the whole school thing! I miss her when she is there, although am flat out busy and have dd2 who only goes to pre school 2 afternoons a week, I hate being tied to the clock, I hate not being able to pick and choose when we do things, and what we do, I dont feel I get quality time with her after school because by the time we've done her reading,tea etc its time for bath and bed. We are coming to the end of the school hols this week, its been lovely, so relaxed and happy, Im really not looking forward to her going back next week and getting into that boring routine. I actually feel tearful ! Am I completely bonkers? Do others feel like this ? I find myself looking at people with babies and pre school children and feeling jealous of them, and wishing I could be back in those days. Do I just need a kick up the backside ?! Ladies, your thoughts and words of wisdom please.

Get used to it - it's a long road

Yr 4 veteran here

Well I only have ds but I personally think school starts way too young and I am seriously tempted to home educate mostly for this reason. In addition I think school runs are a real tie for for people.

In the past children more often went to school and came home on their own without having to be escorted from a very young age. Nowadays we are enslaved to the school run for years if we have several children.

Madness in my opinion, but because it is just what we do and has sort of crept up on people no-one really seems to notice how weird it is.

You've entered a new phase in your child's life and it may take a little adjustment but you'll get used to it. Once your younger dd goes to school it'll change again. I went through a little bit of it but I'm now getting lots of satisfaction from working while they're at school.
I've moved from being a 'mum-of-young-children' to a 'soccer-mum-cheering-from-the-sidelines'
I think my children have also grown in a positive way from being a little more independant of me.

Could you share a shcool run with someone who lives near you? It could make all the difference.

I know what you mean.

At one time I took both DSs to school/nursery at 9, back at 11.30 to pick up youngest then back at 3.30 to pick up eldest. I spent years just walking up and down a boring stretch of road with no time to go anywhere or properly get anything done.
Boring boring boring.

Agree agree agree.
We are on easter holidays at the moment and it has been bliss. Getting up slowly, playing games. No rushing. No hurrying. Less pressure to have lovely time between 3.30pm and 7pm. DD not shattered tired. DD and ds playing together.
I am not missing the school run in the slightest, and it is amazing how much time I seem to have now, given that when dd is at school we leave at 8.30am (walk) and get back at about 9/30am and leave again at 3pm and get back after 4pm.
However, dd does enjoy school, has settled well and made good friends. Also, she has, since January, learnt so much. Is making headway with reading, which is so lovely. Is suddenly drawing amazing pictures. Doing sums. Writing lovely cards to people.
The problem is though that we are so time pressured during the term that there doesn't seem enough time in the day to appreciate all these new skills because we're always rushing from bed to school and from school to bed. Whereas the holidays are giving me the ability to enjoy her, without the stress of organisation, and take stock of all the things she's achieved

If you are bonkers then I am raving too

I could have written your post. I'm SO relieved someone else feels exactly the same way because when I've posted in a similar vein I got the impression not everyone but most thought I was barking.

I hate being tied to school hours and the thought that this will be the routine for the next 10 years or so. Also, I think you get to see the worst of your children when they are young because it's all hassle in the morning getting them off and then they are shattered when they get back. We are pretty close but I feel my relationship with dd always worsens in term time and then we reconnect during the holidays.

I think it could just be my situation though. I've only got one dd and I would like another (possibly too old now) but still trying. Also, work school hours during term-time (v. lucky I know) but feel I'm not really a "proper" parent but that I've not got a proper job either ... if any of that makes any sense ....

Really feel for you ....

That's what holidays are for. Enjoying yourself all the time.

I agree with you I hate the kids going to school too I much prefer the holidays

Pooka - you've just written what I wanted to say but much more eloquently ....

Why is it that I seem to have MORE time to get stuff done in the holidays and not when dd is out of the house for six hours a day? 'Tis a mystery ....

You have my heart-felt sympathy. I hope that it does get easier for you but it has not become better here and DS1 is in Year 6...

I am currently home-schooling him and it is FABULOUS! I feel as though I have a rare chance to connect with this soon to be young man. (I still have the school run with DD1 and DS2 though. I hate mornings and the the clock watching hour from 2:00-3:00. I hate timing my whole life around making it there on time and dragging DD2 out of bed morning and afternoon in the process.

Does your DD love it? I know that our DD1 has loved school from day 1 so she would be less happy at home than DS1... DS2 on the other hand LONGS to stay home!

Thanks counting...

I know what you mean about getting lots done. We just seem to have oodles of time right now, and none of it is the boring 2 hrs to bedtime time, it's relaxing and unpressured and worth more because of it. (of course, we're still having 'moments', but isn't as bad as leaving her in morning in grumpy mood - both of us - and dwelling).

DD does love school, I think. While she's loving the hols, and has looked forward to them, and looks forward to weekends, I don't get the feeling of her yearning to be home in a way that would make me worry about her happiness.

I do think that we start them at school too young. Wish in England we followed at least the Scottish system of allowing to defer for a year without being penalised by being shoved straight into year 1.

I hate it too!

The mornings are the worst, just feel I nag constantly. Evenings are pretty bad too - the few hours before bed just seem to disappear.

Does anyone else feel like they are constantly forgetting/missing something? (e.g. money for trips/decorated eggs/assemblies for parents). I never seem to have time to do reading either. Feel like I'm going to get told off all the time!

Probably not helped by ds2 being born 4 days before dd started school!

Oh and also hate it when people say oh, bet you can't wait for dd to go back to school.

Sorry that's very rambling.....feeding ds2 with one hand typing with other, should be moving up stairs for the bath, ds1 wants a story, what can I do for dh tea, need uniform wasdhed for the morning, forgotten about the dog, cup of water on the floor........

So glad that there are others that feel the same way. I feel as though the school gets the best of my dd1, I get the anxious getting to school, packed lunch, snack, havnt written in her reading diary,wheres the hairbrush bit in the morning. Then the ' Im too tired to eat my tea' grumpy , shattered little girl after school.In fact, yes loler I have that slightly uneasy, forgotten something feeling all the time.

You are not bonkers for wanting to spend time with your DD & having a more relaxed life! We're Home Educating for these & other reasons & loving it.

I love being with DS, watching him learn, not having to dash up and down to the schools twice a day, being able to pick & choose what we do and when we do it. If he stays up until midnight it doesn't matter because he doesn't have to get up early the next day. If we want to just drop everything & visit my parents in London, then we can....and we can go to all the good attractions when they are quiet during the school terms

I just count the weeks off, if that helps. One week down, 6 more to half term and counting...

So good to read this!!
I am in the same position and finding it really hard. Am tempted to home teach tbph