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Primary education

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Original poster

Wondered if hand holding for Sept newbies would be nice?

990 replies

treedelivery · 19/06/2009 16:50

Just that really. Like an antenatal thread but for parents of children starting primary in Sept.

We have our taster afternoon in a couple of weeks - it all feels so alien. Haven't felt this out of it since I bought my 1st pack of nappies and got the giggles at the checkout!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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golgi · 26/07/2009 21:14

Hello, just marking my place on here again as it had disappeared from "Threads I'm on"
We're all in holiday mode at the moment, school is but a distant cloud on the horizon (for me more than for my son!)

simpson · 27/07/2009 19:49

Another one marking my place on this thread.

Only thing I need to buy is school socks then the shopping is all done

EldonAve · 28/07/2009 15:48

My uniform order arrived today. Shirts are too small and they sent me the wrong blazer badge

I have stuff on back order but they had missed 6 items off so I've had to reorder

Feeling annoyed about the whole thing!!

Aranea · 28/07/2009 22:29

Boo, EldonAve, how annoying!

EldonAve · 28/07/2009 22:33

My child was also non-compliant and had to be forced to try the stuff on!!

Aranea · 28/07/2009 22:35

lol. what a great start...

golgi · 29/07/2009 08:42

At least child was non-compliant at home - mine was non-compliant in the changing cubicle in the uniform shop (while the other one ran around outside hiding in the trousers)

LtEveDallas · 29/07/2009 09:51

Another place marker.

Sent DDs uniform to Nanas house so it is less to pack up over here. Nana confessed she had to open it all and have a weep but then moaned for about 20 mins that it was all 'poor quality' . Now, I am fully aware of my mothers obsession with 'Trutex' clothing, so nothing I bought from Littlewoods was going to please her, but please, is there anyone out there that has bought uniform from Littlewoods? What is it like - is it 'cheap and nasty' (my mothers words) or just not Trutex?

(She hasn't yet noticed that the shoes aren't Clarks - I'm waiting for that axe to fall)

Am successfully displacing my moving stress with uniform stress now - and its not good.

(AND I still cant find a red gingham dress online grrrrr)

Acinonyx · 29/07/2009 10:14

I need another pinafore as she'll probably wear that most/every day. And the white polos were a bit small so I might order some bigger ones. But I've lost momentum since the Big Uniform Drive last month.

Waiting to for the right moment to commit to shoes and a weather-proof coat. Anyone recommend a suitable coat?

August is the signal to start sewing labels .

The clock is ticking on the toilet training - still VERY anxious about that.

paisleyleaf · 29/07/2009 10:21

Are you all getting shoes now?
I was waiting til after our holiday later in august, to allow for growing feet
....will I regret that?

Got all the other bits now,except for maybe a new drink bottle.

DD's accepting it a bit now too. She wants to find a shell on the beach for Miss X, (obviously concerned that she wants Miss X to like her).

Aranea · 29/07/2009 10:45

Oh, paisleyleaf, that's sweet about her wanting to bring a shell back. What a nice idea.

I'm starting to worry about whether she'll be OK being left... she still tries to talk me out of leaving her at nursery every morning. And when her friend's mother suggested that we could start doing unaccompanied playdates (apparently her daughter has been doing it for a while) dd1 refused point-blank.

Do everyone else's children go to play happily at other people's houses on their own? How feeble is she being about this??

paisleyleaf · 29/07/2009 10:50

Aranea, the unaccompanied playdates is a good idea, with a little friend and a mum they know. We did that before I left DD at playgroup. You can do it accompanied first - just go round for coffee.

Aranea · 29/07/2009 11:10

We do lots of accompanied playdates, and the mum who is suggesting it is someone we've been doing regular playdates with. But what would you do if she didn't want you to leave her there unaccompanied? It feels mean to force the issue over a playdate?

Acinonyx · 29/07/2009 11:43

There is absolutely no way dd would do an unaccompanied playdate.

She has a CM and never has a problem being left there although she used to have long phases of crying when she was left at nursery (which is why I switched to a CM when we moved last year).

At her settling in she totally lost the plot and was detached from me wailing. It went on for some time as I lurked, listening. The teacher recommends that the TA take her from me when she starts school. I gues it will get the worst bit over quicker but it really doesn't feel right though. The whole school experience is so unnatural - but she has to go as I'm not going to consider homeschooling.

I'm pretty sure she will be OK after a while because she likes being with other kids - just not in big groups of them. I just hope the wailing doesn't go on too long.....

Aranea · 29/07/2009 11:46

Oh god Acinonyx, I feel a bit sick reading your post. Poor little thing. I so agree that it doesn't feel right just handing them over like that. I have never been able to leave while dd1 was still crying at nursery despite huge pressure from them just to walk out. It feels like such a betrayal, I have to stay till she accepts that I am leaving and feels able to say goodbye.

And mine dislikes big groups, too. Oof, I hope it will be OK...

EldonAve · 29/07/2009 12:16

LtEveDallas - trutex is so expensive, £19 for 2 shirts! go cheaper if you can

paisleyleaf - DS already has school shoes from a recent wedding, I'm going to buy the trainers at the end of August. Supposedly their feet don't grow as quickly now

Can't help with the kids who don't want to be left sorry. It's normal though and the schools should be used to it

Acinonyx · 29/07/2009 12:16

I am going to do as the teacher says and leave her with the TA no matter what. I will tell dd very clearly that I am not going to stay etc. It does feel ghastly, but knowing dd, I know she will go on and on if she thinks it will keep me there.

I remember I made an awful hullabaloo about starting school. I wasn't shy - I was just totally furious that I hadn't been asked whether I wanted to go - that I had no choice (only child alert ).

I can really understand why some people homeschool. Schools are bizarre and unnatural institutions that prepare children for the equally bizarre and unnatural world of work.

Am I cheering you up

We can come and drink tea and compare notes come Sep.

Aranea · 29/07/2009 12:47

Yes yes you are exactly right, Acinonyx. I think homeschooling (in groups not in isolation) sounds lovely but perhaps not helpful in terms of preparing for the rest of life! I do think she needs to go to school but it does feel unnatural.

I love the idea of small you being furious at not being consulted!

I am going to need lots of tea and more importantly chocolate come Sep.

paisleyleaf · 29/07/2009 14:02

Perhaps give them something to look forward to at 3 o'clock
like we've got a little PYO farm with a play area near the school
I've told DD already that we can go there for a drink after school.

Thanks EldonAve

Aranea · 29/07/2009 14:35

Nice suggestion paisleyleaf but it won't make any difference with mine I'm afraid. She's quite specific about wanting her mummy with her, and doesn't really see why she should have to do things without me. She's actually mostly pretty good about going to nursery now, but she would always prefer not to, and she does still try to persuade me that she should come home again with me in the mornings. I so hope she isn't worried about me leaving her at school.

paisleyleaf · 29/07/2009 14:39

I've forgotten if your DD's starting full time straight away ?

Aranea · 29/07/2009 14:40

No, actually it's a lovely gentle start, which I'm really pleased about. They start off doing just mornings, then stay for lunch, then do full days. I don't think it could be better really.

paisleyleaf · 29/07/2009 14:41

Here's hoping the morning flies by for her then.

Acinonyx · 29/07/2009 15:00

Someone told me that there mother had told them that the Queen had a rule that all children had to go to school. I might try that one on dd.

She will go up to full-time very fast - in a week. But I work PT so really it would be very hard to do a slow/staggered start. If she can find a couple of little friends that will make all the difference. Neither of the girls she played with at preschool will be going to school this year.

I do worry about her being so shy. But when I think about the toilet issues - I feel positively faint.........

cumili · 29/07/2009 15:07

Hi all, DS also starting reception in September- now I am back from holiday and panicking about the whole thing- at least no uniform to worry about!

Quick question - re. labeling clothes: someone suggested this company www.stuckonyou.biz/unitedkingdom/index.asp
looks nice - but too much choice... what should I go for (can't sew)- dots/ transfers/ iron on labels???? Anyone tried them?

Finally there seems to be a promotion in tesco baby club magazine: anyone know what it is?

Thanks!!!!