End of an era

I’ve completed my last school run, which feels very strange and rather sad. I actually enjoy the school run. In the morning it’s our chance to have a chat about anything and everything. As I work from home, I love the simple act of saying good morning to lots of people in person as opposed to on screen. In the afternoon it gives me a golden opportunity to talk to them both about their day. Also, how will I ever get my 10,000 steps in now!?

There have been a lot of goodbyes. The girls have said farewell to friends that are going to different schools. I’ve realised that there are so many people that I simply won’t see any more by virtue of the fact I won’t be doing the school run.

It’s goodbye to things like nativity plays, special assemblies and book looks. There’ll be no more invites to see their school year netball team play. I will miss all of these things. Then there’s no more Sports Days. Although, is it bad that I’m not devastated by this one ?

I’m looking forward to not having random dress up days, not having to cobble stuff together for World Book Day and the stream of last minute events that seem to pop up. However, I dare say, I might miss them a little when they’ve gone. I’m also sad that they’ve outgrown things like the Summer Reading Challenge, which has been a holiday staple in our household for many, many years (details of this year’s can be found here).  

Whilst they are sad to leave they are looking forward to the next chapter, and in the last few months it’s felt like they’ve been outgrowing the school. 

What secondary school means for us

They’re going from a school with 360 pupils to one with well over 1000, which will be a bit of a culture shock. There is also quite a leap up in independence at secondary school; information is no longer spoon fed and details of many things are communicated directly to the students without the safety net of a parent email. They’ll need to take more responsibility and will certainly have to improve on their listening skills! I think the increase in workload will be another shock for them.

Whilst they’ve been at primary school I’ve been very hands on; secondary school is a different kettle of fish. I will have to get used to not being involved in the minutiae of daily school life. By the way, when did I become old enough to have three secondary school-aged children?  

The transition

There have been some good transition events run by their new school. These enabled them to get a feel for the school and meet their teachers and new classmates. I’m sure this will help make the whole process less daunting come September.

It’s the end of an era and the start of an exciting new journey. It’ll be a time of adjustment and growth for all of us, but I’m sure they’ll love it. Time will tell if I love the transition as much.

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However, as my daughter’s start date gradually approaches, and having just been to buy some of the uniform from the school shop (cute cardis, little tie, sweet woolly hat, mini-sized gym kit, logoed school bag etc), I know in my heart-of-hearts I will be doing exactly the same. Apologies in advance to all of my friends that won’t be interested in the slightest.

Ahead of time, the obligatory child and uniform shot.

The next chapter 

I’m excited about this new chapter for Sofia, and I know she’s going to love it, but the idea of her starting school ignites conflicting emotions in me. With 21-month-old twins on the scene, I thought I’d really welcome having one less child to entertain on a daily basis. However, as the time draws closer, as well as selfish fears about the dreaded school run, I’m sad that we will no longer have the freedom to go where we want whenever we want; we’ll be confined to the school holidays when everything will be busy. I’ll no longer be able to choose our day-to-day schedule or wake up in the morning and spontaneously decide that we’ll go on a mystery tour somewhere.

I have started to think that maybe I haven’t done enough with her whilst we’ve had the luxury of ‘free time’, but our car fuel bills are testament to the number of groups we attend, the amount of visiting we do and the excursions we go on. I always seem to be doing housework. Perhaps sometimes I should have forsaken unnecessary vacuuming for an extra story or an additional trip to the park? Mum guilt: usually totally unfounded but ever-present.

In this lead up to D-day there’s been a plethora of forms to fill and dates to remember. I’ve actually found it fairly stressful as I’m very eager to get things just right ahead of this important milestone. Sofia is taking it all in her stride, she barely gave a sideways glance when I left her for the first time for an hour in what will be her new class; it’s me that has got the nerves.

And finally, aside from everything else, it’s just rather weird to think I have a school-age child. How did that happen? 

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