Wondered if hand holding for Sept newbies would be nice?

[treedelivery]

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!

try again

Acinonyx has one dd will be 4.1 starting school. Major toilet issues and very shy. Draws well, writes, counts and does some very simple sums but no reading.

Babbity has DS who will be 4.10. Can do dressing, eating and toileting. Knows alphabet and loves numbers/ sums/ "science" but not interested in writing, holding pencil, or anything creative. Bum wiping adequate.

blametheparents has a DD who will be 4.6. Recognises letters and is trying to work out sounds in words, but cannot read. Can do simple adding and taking away sums. Desperate to start school with her big brother, keep reminding her she will not be in his class. Some toilet issues, she has been prescribed movicol now which is helping loads, but need to keep a close eye on her diet.

DwayneDibbley has DD who will be 4.2 on first day. Can do buttons, and get dressed, eats like a horse, knows alphabet, numbers, simple sums, can read (well, spells out words phonically and then says what word is, and just beginning to know whole words by sight iyswim?). no inclination to write at all. Good bum wiper, but cannot blow nose. Is terrible telltale, and huge perceiver of non-existent injustices, the constant communication of which, I fear, will make her unpopular with teachers.

Fruitful has DS1 who will be 4.7, starting full-time the second week. Can just about write his name, can mostly get dressed except for jumpers for some reason, can't wipe his bum but has completely mastered the art of only ever pooing at home

golgi has son 4.8 on first day. Can do numbers, letters, read some words. Will not pick up pen or pencil or dress himself. Still has a nap after lunch if given half a chance.

LadyIsabella has DS1, 4.9. Having a massive testosterone surge at the moment, very curious about most things (esp. space, science etc) but not at all patient (drawings take 1 min etc). Refuses to wipe his bottom unless bribed with stickers etc.

norksinmywaistband has dd 4.9 on first day, very keen to start. Knows her numbers and letters, and write her own name - in a fashion. She has poo issues and I am worried about tantrums toward end of day as she gets very stroppy when tired

pigswithflu - one ds (4.2) on first day. Improving with own dressing but often all wrong way round. Can read whole sentences (proud mummy alert), good at maths but barely writes something akin to name.
Buttons and bum wiping on to do list for summer hols.

Pinktulips has one dd (4.7) starting in sept. toilet issues, chronic shyness and hates letters and counting. has master bum wiping but buttons still a tricky one. she's great at drawing and things involving fine motor skills though (puzzles and crafty things)

Swissmiss has DS who will be 4.8 on first day. Not really interested in the academic stuff, much prefers to be making stuff. Can dress / wipe bottom but prefers not so it is the source of many a frustation on both our parts. Like Wheelybug's dd he talks a lot and will spend most of his time being told to talk less and listen more.

teafortwo has one dd will be 3.4 on first day. This is the age all children start school in Paris (where milk and tea live). Butterflies are us - but in a good way !

treedelivery has dd1 age 4.10 on 1st day. Does own dressing and academic stuff. Does not do bowel control, eating or relaxing. Todays 'Mamma worries' score 6/10

Wheelybug has dd who will be 4.7. Beginning to read and does other academic stuff hanks to a good pre-school but talks far too much so will probably spent most of her time being told to talk less and listen more.

Wolfnipplechips dd is 4.7 in sept, can dress herself, wipebum and write names. Loves drawing, craftyness and ballet. Is left handed so struggles a bit with letter formation. Is a scruffy child and her dm and db are going to miss her terribly

My mummy stress score has gone up to about 8/10 after the settling in session today. The playground looks dauntingly chaotic with kids running everywhere. My cautious little ds will hate it!

He did however have a lovely time sitting with the reception children for a story - he was the only settler in there and seemed tiddly compared to them all. He laughed at the right bits at least.

Was quite grim as a whole row of three kids behind ds were all simultaneously picking their noses for ages

Interesting that there are quite a number of kids on here who are probably quite ahead with reading but are reluctant to pick up a pencil, wonder why?

By the way, for those with reluctant drawers/ writers, I totally refrained from the slightest mention of the idea of writing and after a month or two he has decided for himself that he wants to try now.

Moral of the story for my ds at least was to literally not mention it as I think he was feeling pressured (even though I never ever nagged him - just casual mentions seemed to be putting him off)

DDs school have set colours so I am just buying nice things in the special colours when I see them.

The only thing 'uniformy' is a specific smock to be bought at a specific shop... You have all inspired me to go to said shop tomorrow buy smock and report back!

Is anyone else quite excited and positive about their child starting school? I think it is a really nice 'coming of age' moment!

I really think people shouldn't worry about their child not knowing many academic things or being a bit bohemian about personal care. All first classes are well staffed with professionals who can and do scaffold whole child development on a daily basis. Children go to school to learn skills for life. If children could do everything before we sent them... there would be no point in them going!!!

I asked my dd why she didn't want to do more colouring in.

'Well mummy, it's like this. Colouring is tedious and pointless and doesn't get me laugh or tell me anything you can't tell me quicker'

I believe they call that being gazumped by your kid!

wow at a four year old using hte word tedious - me thinks she will go far whether she picks up a pencil or not!

the even not hte

My boy is a "won't pick up a pencil". I'm 90% sure he's left handed, and he finds it difficult to make anything look likes he wants it to. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I think he's decided it's better not to bother until he can do it right. He's good with a computer mouse though, so maybe we can just bypass the whole writing issue.
He did trace over his name in daddy's fathers day card, and then spent the day inordinately proud of himself for having managed it, so we might be getting somewhere.
I managed to get some uniform information by sending grandma to talk to one of the more experienced mums - it's grey trousers, white polo shirts, and blue school sweatshirts. Easy enough, I reckon.
The nose picking thing reminds me of something else we need to work on over the summer - "other people do not want to see you picking your nose and eating your bogies".

'Won't pick up a pencil boys' are very very common! All teachers I know have unbelievably good strategies for encouraging all kinds of unlikely characters to fall in love with writing.

I have realised I can find no info on PE kit for Milk's school...

Tiptoes off to e-mail siomeone in the know...

I am wondering what I am supposed to do between school & preschool drop offs

My friend tells me everyone goes to Waitrose

Changing for PE is going to take hours, isn't it.
I honestly don't know where teachers-of-small-children find the patience.

Pigs - she only knows it because my mum says it lots!

Bogie eating very popular here [fav food, wonder if I could stick spinach up her nose and get calories in that way] and also eye crust.

What a lady.

She's not tried ear bogie (wax) yet?? That was last weeks discovery here!

yuck yuck yuck re bogies. My little chap tends to extract them and then say 'mummmmmeee I've got a bogey, get a tissue' and then presents them to me as if they're some lovely gift.

Golgi - that's exactly the same reason why ds wouldn't draw until the last week or two - it didn't look enough like he wanted it to.
The turning point was a pic he did at nursery which did look more like he wanted it to. I laid the praise on thick and he's done another couple of pics since then which he does seem happier with bless.

What I suppose I'm saying is that they can change their view very quickly.

Eldon, I have the same dilemma, but it will take me 10 mins to walk back to the preschool from the school, and so will only have 15 mins to kill. Seeing as I am preschool chairman, I normally have something to sort most mornings when I get there, so at least it won't eat into my day now
I prefer the idea of Waitrose though

do they not wear tracksuits to school on pe days there?

schools here stopped the changing for pe nonsense years ago, now they wear a uniform coloured tracksuit bottom and school polo neck on pe days

No ours wear normal uniform, and have to change into a different coloured polo top and shorts for PE

Ok, my mama worries for today are now 2/10 hurrah because last night my dd 4yo went on stage in front of about 400 people and performed her whole dance routine from ballet and loved every second of it, she has to do it for another 2 nights and she is loving it. The show was 2 hours long and didn't start till 7 so i was stressed about tiredness too.

To reassure you all, out of about 70 kids there was only about 3 that didn't want to do it. I was sick with worry, would she need a wee, would she get stage fright, would she panic behind the stage in the dark but no nothing and she is a SHY child. I think the lesson for me is if you prepare them enough they can do anything.

BTW treedelivery your babies are absolutely divine, that hair. They are going to break some hearts.

ok - so we are off to smock shop.

Will report back later....

Wow wow wow!!!!!

This whole going to school thing feels a bit real now.

wolfnipplechips - well done dd. Bet you were very proud mamma!
Thank you for compliment, am hoping they have it easier than I did as redheads, as people are more open minded these days. I really struggled with that hair colour. I think now people generally have more fun with their looks and experiment and embrace funkier looks etc. Shall embrace that in my 2 for sure.
Your babies are beautiful, and am also at your living room and your yummy mummy status.

Good luck with purchases tea, what is a smock? Would love to see it if that is poss? Is that red hair on your dd too? What a cutie bobbit!!

Am really looking forward to going on the uniform buying jaunt. Sigh.

Have to go on preschool run - but want to check out all the profiles!!

grrrrr I am getting so fed up of waiting to find out about when ds starts, what uniform he needs, breakfast club, lunches etc ... very very jealous of you all out buying uniforms and name tapes. I can see it is going to be a serious last minute panic in the bodiddly household! I will have to stop reading this thread or I am going to work myself up into a disorganised frenzy!

tbh bodiddly I was going to leave it till the end of Aug as well. Have been spurred on a bit by mumsnet but will leave bits till later too.

Poor you.

Mothercare do stock all year round, just it's all out the back.

You could still get name tapes?

I'm thinking of undertaking a craft session [ likely with a 5 month baby] and making a gym bag with her name on. Just cut out of fabric letters sewn on with funky buttons etc. Not making the bag though!

Maybe we could embark together as a project to tide you over till the buying frenzy begins!?

Well done to your dd wolf . Have had a nose at yours and trees photos and all your children are gorgeous.

Tree - your dds must be similarly age-gapped as mine (4.2 years ?).

So, my M&S lot arrived only for me to find that I had ordered the value stuff (unusual for me to be so economical) and I really didn't like the quality. So, today I traipsed into town to change it for the more expensive stuff. SO much for saving time internet shopping. Ended up also getting a skirt (had only got pinafores) as well plus a cardi (which doesn't have to be logo'd). Ended up having to get dd aged 3 pe shorts and they're still a bit big round the waist ! she is such a skinny thing.

So, still need to do the uniform shop for sweatshirt, polo shirts, book bag, pe bag and pe t-shirt.

Can I join too?

Acinonyx has one dd will be 4.1 starting school. Major toilet issues and very shy. Draws well, writes, counts and does some very simple sums but no reading.

Babbity has DS who will be 4.10. Can do dressing, eating and toileting. Knows alphabet and loves numbers/ sums/ "science" but not interested in writing, holding pencil, or anything creative. Bum wiping adequate.

blametheparents has a DD who will be 4.6. Recognises letters and is trying to work out sounds in words, but cannot read. Can do simple adding and taking away sums. Desperate to start school with her big brother, keep reminding her she will not be in his class. Some toilet issues, she has been prescribed movicol now which is helping loads, but need to keep a close eye on her diet.

DwayneDibbley has DD who will be 4.2 on first day. Can do buttons, and get dressed, eats like a horse, knows alphabet, numbers, simple sums, can read (well, spells out words phonically and then says what word is, and just beginning to know whole words by sight iyswim?). no inclination to write at all. Good bum wiper, but cannot blow nose. Is terrible telltale, and huge perceiver of non-existent injustices, the constant communication of which, I fear, will make her unpopular with teachers.

Fruitful has DS1 who will be 4.7, starting full-time the second week. Can just about write his name, can mostly get dressed except for jumpers for some reason, can't wipe his bum but has completely mastered the art of only ever pooing at home

golgi has son 4.8 on first day. Can do numbers, letters, read some words. Will not pick up pen or pencil or dress himself. Still has a nap after lunch if given half a chance.

LadyIsabella has DS1, 4.9. Having a massive testosterone surge at the moment, very curious about most things (esp. space, science etc) but not at all patient (drawings take 1 min etc). Refuses to wipe his bottom unless bribed with stickers etc.

norksinmywaistband has dd 4.9 on first day, very keen to start. Knows her numbers and letters, and write her own name - in a fashion. She has poo issues and I am worried about tantrums toward end of day as she gets very stroppy when tired

pigswithflu - one ds (4.2) on first day. Improving with own dressing but often all wrong way round. Can read whole sentences (proud mummy alert), good at maths but barely writes something akin to name.
Buttons and bum wiping on to do list for summer hols.

Pinktulips has one dd (4.7) starting in sept. toilet issues, chronic shyness and hates letters and counting. has master bum wiping but buttons still a tricky one. she's great at drawing and things involving fine motor skills though (puzzles and crafty things)

Swissmiss has DS who will be 4.8 on first day. Not really interested in the academic stuff, much prefers to be making stuff. Can dress / wipe bottom but prefers not so it is the source of many a frustation on both our parts. Like Wheelybug's dd he talks a lot and will spend most of his time being told to talk less and listen more.

teafortwo has one dd will be 3.4 on first day. This is the age all children start school in Paris (where milk and tea live). Butterflies are us - but in a good way !

treedelivery has dd1 age 4.10 on 1st day. Does own dressing and academic stuff. Does not do bowel control, eating or relaxing. Todays 'Mamma worries' score 6/10

Wheelybug has dd who will be 4.7. Beginning to read and does other academic stuff hanks to a good pre-school but talks far too much so will probably spent most of her time being told to talk less and listen more.

Wolfnipplechips dd is 4.7 in sept, can dress herself, wipebum and write names. Loves drawing, craftyness and ballet. Is left handed so struggles a bit with letter formation. Is a scruffy child and her dm and db are going to miss her terribly

Babygeog will be 4.11, he is ready academically ,starting to read, obsessed with numbers but like many on here reluctant to write, in other ways he is a baby, he is number 3 and likes to play the fool. He has to wear a shirt and is clueless on buttons. Not really sure what i'll do in September...

Tree grr at the red hair thing my ds has red hair which was a bit of a suprise as nobody in the family has it but i LOVE it, i can't believe how nasty people are about it, it has really opened my eyes. People often stop me in the street and say nevermind he might grow out of it fgs. I think your dds are stunning. I believe the italians are wild about red hair maybe we should move there .

geog hello.