I know there is a starting secondary school thread somewhere but I cant find it and really need some flaps and honks!

[Ineedmorepatience]

Dd3's stress levels are going through the roof and I know why but cant do anything to help

We cut our holiday short this week because she was going downhill fast and didnt want to stay. I had planned to be away until Friday so she was occupied and not thinking about it.

She has melted down this morning over not being able to have a coloured door key, apparently our lock is too old And over not wanting me to have a cushion on the sofa!!

We need to make a new visual timetable for the mornings but not sure its a good idea, what do you all think?

We've just returned from holiday. Which I think was a very good thing to have at the end of the summer break - as DD thought about something other than school most of the time. Though she did ask a few times how long until school. (We had tears both times at the airport - and think we may have to inform airlines in future - at 11 we can get away with it, but at 13+ its going to be very odd.)
She decided to tidy her room last night and clear out a lot of stuff. We're going to finish that today, and get the final things for school (like new shoes - hopefully not too stressy). I need to let her get very organised. I think she is going to visit the one friend she made at induction day. I don't particularly want her to stay with people she knew at primary - as I fell she could do with getting away from the labels she got there for a bit.

The SENCO is great, and it sounds so far as if she might get far more help than at primary.

We've just managed 6 weeks with no meltdowns, several pretty angry times (and had to remove the lock from the bathroom door), but nothing like they've seen at school. Hopefully the new school will be better.

Sending lots of good wishes, positive vibes, etc, to you all this week.

Good luck mummytime and thanks jackster

I have just sent the first of probably very many emails to the senco, lets see if she replies!!

Oh my SENCO and I have been talking since year 5! I even emailed her in the middle of the holidays (when I realised DDs phobia of sharp knives could be an issue).

Good vibes to everyone.

Well the senco replied and said Dd3 would be met at the door tomorrow and she is going to sort out a time for us to meet to discuss the NIL!!

Dd3 is more chilled tonight and the quiet day has benefitted us both.

Her new phone arrived today so that proved a good distraction, she has had lots of screen time too

One more sleep to go!! Good luck everyone

Fingers crossed for everyone. One asleep and one still prowling. He assures me he is settling down though.

Good luck, Ineed and others.

Oh good luck to all the new secondary schoolers today ( or tomorrow)
I remember the anxiety ( lol...me!) when ds started. I think being ultra organised in the morning really helped me get him out the door in an ok state. So yeah... Timeline.. Rigid routine every morning. Also organisation of subjects and books and homework routine.
Masses of communication with senco too. Being able to give her a heads up to a potential problem made a huge difference to his experience there .
Fwiw.. Secondary school was a massive hit compared to the hell of primary . It's routine based nature made so much more sense to him.
I hope you have a good experience too.
I have another one starting secondary today ( my baby girl!) ... How is that possible?

First one gone off. Apart from refusing to take anything with him like coat or something to occupy him on the journey remarkably calm. Hope it goes well for everyone else.

Good luck today, hope it goes well for everyone!

Hope you get back in time to see him come home to Polter .

Good luck to everyone today / tomorrow or whenever they going back .

Well, everything was very precisely organised and she started to flap about being late at 7.40

but....

Dd3 went to school, in her uniform, on time and wasnt sick!!!

Massive achievement, she even managed to eat a bit of a croissant.

I so hope they dont fuck it up for her on the first day!!!

Hope everyone else survives day one!!

ds1 had a good day - infact "awesome" was the word he used. Long may it last. Calm sounds great Polter.

Great to see these good starts. :o

Ds goes back tomorrow. He was wide awake until the early hours this morning, so I'm hoping he'll be so wiped out tonight that he falls asleep quickly.

Good luck to anyone else still waiting for the first day!

Dd3 came home in a very positive mood, she had had food tech which was the thing she was looking forward to.

She was fairly worn out and said it was very noisy and that was just with one yr group in. She is quite worried about tomorrow when they are all in but generally she has coped well.

Great news one and polter

Ahh thanks polter

I feel wiped out tbh!

I could really do with this working !

Good luck to anyone starting today!

Dd3 has gone, the whole school are in today 1300!! I just hope she is ok!

So far so good.

Ds was very happy this morning when he left. Fingers crossed that it lasts. :)