Suggestions for first day of school (yr6 and 1)

[aussienic]

Ok so for the first time I have to take the boys to school on my own for their first day (dh simply cannot get any time off that day )

their classrooms are a fair way apart.. I don't have my license so will have to walk to school with all their school stuff while the boys ride..

I am stressing out about how I will be able to give both boys the attention they need.. Dh said Ds1 should be fine to say good bye to at the gate and make his own way to his class (like hell I said)

I said I want to help both boys settle in. I honestly feel like crying thinking about how I will have to take DS1 to his class help him unpack and then say bye and then take Ds2 to his class and help him unpack.. Then I have to walk home.. and then go back in the afternoon to pick them up. They would probably be right to come home on their own but I don't want that for their first day. I want them to see my face when they come out kwim?

Anyone have any suggestions to help me out.. How can I make this as smooth as possible for everyone..

ps I will also have my Ds3 and Dd to deal with

[Tinks]

maybe take the younger one in first and get him settled while the older one catches up with friends then spend a few mins with him before teh bell goes.

Does your school have assembly before school or do they go straight to their classrooms

[aussienic]

They go straight to class

I was thinking that I might take Ds1 to his class.. settle him in ask what he wants to do (ie come with me and Ds2 or stay in his class) then take Ds2 to his class and stay there till the bell rings.. I just hope Ds3 and DD behave and stay with me so I can do what I have to do..

[C~Q]

Oh hun that sounds like a handful Is there anyone else that can go with or anyone you can leave DS3 and DD with?

[aussienic]

Unfort no.. I could ask MIL but I don't want to. she lives just over 30 mins away and it would be to much trouble for her to drive down and help She is just like that

I think I have to suck it up and deal with it..

[Taurean78]

I understand your dilemma but allow me to play devil's advocate.....

I teach Yr 1 and more often than not the kids couldn't give a hoot about whether their parents are there to take them to the class, they just want to hot-foot it to the playground to have a run-around with their mates (many of whom they may not have seen for the past 6 or so weeks). Of course there are the exceptions to the rule - anxious kids, new kids etc. I am assuming this is not a new school for your kids?

I often chuckle at the disregard children show there parents at drop-off all through the year. I frequently call the child back out of the classroom to say goodbye to parents they have just brushed off!

As for your son in Yr 6, the above scenario applies ten-fold.

Have you asked them how they would like the morning to unfold (in an ideal world?) Maybe you'll find that just being there at the school drop-off is enough for them.

It's an emotional time for you, having spent so much time with them over the holidays. And then there's the reflection that goes on - "Oh, they're so grown up....where have the years gone...etc" that make parents even more gooey. I sometimes get teary watching parents tear-up on these days.

I don't mean to be dismissive of your feelings but just wanted to tell you what I see every year.

Hope it all works out for you.

[aussienic]

Oh I know exactly where you are coming from Taurean,. I think Wednesday is going to me heaps more emotional for me then my boys.. I just worry that I won't spend the same amount of time with each of them kwim?

My Ds2 (yr 1) is excited about going back and can't wait but Ds1 (yr 6 ) has issues with school and is already starting to stress out. (ie low self esteem, bully ect ect) I try not to show my emotions in front of them.. I do tell them I will miss them but then talk about how much fun going back will be.. Seeing their friends after so long ect ect.

*sigh* Maybe I should just let them ride on their own (so joking)

[aussienic]

Thought I would update.. All went perfectly Kids settled well and I did it all on my own

and with all the riding I did yesterday (8km all up) I lost a kg in one day

I miss them though and do look forward to seeing them at 3. The days are sooo much longer

[Muppity]

This will give you a laugh...

My Mum just used to drop us at the bus stop - and when I was in year 6 we were dropped at the bus stop and I was given some money and a note to our teachers that we hadn't had a chance to get stationery yet and I could go to the newsagency at lunch time and get everything on the stionery list for us all (luckily just down the street from school!)

[aussienic]

FIL told me I could just let Ds1 get his own way to school after all he is yr 6.... I was like What The??

Dh said thats what his parents did after about yr 2... just dropped them at the front gate on the first day.. I can't imagine ever doing that

[Tinks]

Dh said thats what his parents did after about yr 2... just dropped them at the front gate on the first day.. I can't imagine ever doing that

That's what I'll be doing on my way to work on Monday. I didn't realise it was bad.

[aussienic]

It isn't bad it just isn't what I would do.. I was brought up differently.. Well not brought up but had a different experience to my Dh and can't imagine just dropping my kids at school..

Ds1 and 2 both were riding a few days a week without me or DH.. to and from school.. I just meant on the first day