will you be taking your dc to school on their first day of secondary?

[mrsruffallo]

what's the done thing? Will she be the only one with her mother in tow?

Stay away!!

Do not under any circumstances walk your year 7 to school.

If you have to spy, get a false moustache and trail them at a distance.

I planned on it last year but then DD turned round on the day and said she'd rather go on the bus with her friends.

According to DD there were loads with parents in tow on the first day though judging by the traffic at pick-up it was probably a good idea that i didn't take her.

I admit I did accompany both my children on their first day at secondary

It was, however, right next door to their primary/junior school, so I sort of "mingled" with the junior parents, pretending to be one of them, donned my specs and watched from afar.

When my daughter first passed her driving test and started driving to college, I did follow her on her journey for a while (just to check she was safe), wearing dark glasses and a hat (hoping she wouldn't recognise the car)

She did spot me once and asked what was I doing - I had to pretend I was on my way to that particular nearby supermarket (the college was a fair few miles away), and ended up having to buy lots of groceries I didn't really need

No, we didn't take DD.
DH dropped her off on his way to work, to meet a friend, about 0.75 mile away - actually at their old primary. She walked rest of way with friend.
After school she walked up to my work to grab a lift home - again 0.75-1 mile or so.

Have same routine every morning - DD is now half way through Y7. Most evenings are same too, though she sometimes goes to Costa or a friends house, or sometimes gets the bus home.

No. I am not showing him up. Secondary School starts Year 8 in these parts so really no need.

Most of the year 7 kids walk to school alone here but I will not want my dd to when the time comes.

Ds2 has been walking/cycling to Middle School since Year 5 though so it would be a bit odd.

No, DS1 is reluctant to walk to primary on his own because he likes a chat (and I'm going with the other 2 anyway( but he and his 3 closest friends who will be going to secondary together have had their first day journey planned (only 20 mins walk) since last Tuesday as soon as they confirmed schools

No ours have a bus from the end of the road.

DH used to wander down with DD1 sometimes, they chaatted and he brought her tea mug back.

The year DD2 started, they weren't first on the route anymore and DH was banished.

Still have to retieve tea mugs and golf umbrellas from the hedge some mornings.

No way. I trailed DS1 and his friends on the bus for their induction day. Then left him to his own devices. On their first day they got the wrong bus home, so I rescued them in the car but have not needed to since.

DH will drop DD2 off at the bus stop with DD1. If they had to walk they would miss the bus. For DS though, he got a lift to school on his first day - well, he got a lift to the primary school round the corner, which was where DD2 still was. We didn't see any reason to make him walk when we were taking her! When she starts secondary school in September though he's going to walk most days. It's about 3 miles. If it's pissing down he can have a lift though. Probably.

walked to bus-stop alone. Had practice runs for induction days in the June before.

No.

I had to take younger siblings to primary.

Yes of course you do.

I took my ds to school until he was 18.5 and left 6th form! Didn't let me kiss him though

lolol @ EvansOvalPiesYumYum

Around here, it really isn't done. I worried a bit about DS2 (ASD/ADHD) but we practised the journey lots of times over the summer until he was confident.

She walks to and from primary school on her own or with a friend, but she will have to catch a bus from the end of our road to outside the secondary school (about a 30 minute journey). There is an induction day and I do intend to practice the route over summer and also discuss alternative routes.
But she's my oldest, and the whole thing feels rather emotional to me, so I was considering going with her for the first day. Don't want to embarrass her though!

I want to.

But I won't.

being a mum is hard!

Not unless your normal routine will be to drive them.

Have considered the disguise/ hiding behind convenient car/ advertising board option!!!!

I know, fiscal. It'll be tough watching her go off alone.

Drive her the first week.

There's an awful lot to get used to at the start of Y7,- let her have her have a few days without worrying about getting on the bus. You'll feel better too.

getting on the wrong bus...