The first day at school is always a nerve wracking one for everyone isn’t it? I mean, forget about the kids – obviously I’m not serious, they play a reasonably fundamental role – this is nerve wracking for the parents. Possibly one of the *most* nerve wracking things I have ever experienced with the boys.
Will they make friends? Will they settle in? Did I fill out the reams and reams of paperwork correctly? I mean, if I didn’t… what will I do?! When Reuben first started his school he was given an induction pack where we filled out all sorts of useful information about what he could and couldn’t do, his likes, his dislikes etc. Whilst this really settled me to a degree, I still felt that nervous edge that I was missing something out or that I was go to do something that would make that nerve wracking time more stressful for him. On top of this, I’ve never known there be so much STUFF for a primary school child too. There was the PE kit (did I pack the right stuff? Where the devil do I get navy blue shorts from?), the Forest school kit (water proof trousers? Where at they found!?), the back to school back, the lunch box if he wouldn’t have school dinners… were his things fashionable? Were they going to be functional and last?
The list goes on. I think between the induction pack and the teachers being so awesome our first day at school was an easy one. I remember arriving at the gates and leaving him to go off into school. He cried and I felt awful – I knew he would be great once we got going but after an awful experience at preschool, I was SO nervous and I really wanted him to feel safe. He was surrounded by other little ones, all looking nervous and unsure, all clinging to their parents – or perhaps that was the parents clinging to them?
As I walked away from him, with all of his bags and his teacher waving and smiling I remember tearing up myself and promising myself that slab of cake when I got home if I could just make it through without tears in front of him. He had a great day and as far as first school runs go everything went really well – though the following day was another matter as I was really poorly and his dad, who hadn’t been able to attend any inductions or school meetings before due to work commitments, had to drive him in and got lost as the school is at the top of a hill in a residential area!
So, despite the following day’s school run disaster, what are my tips for making sure that you have an easy going school run?
1. Pack everything and get it in the car the night before.
2. Make a list of what you will need and check it off before you put the stuff in the car.
3. Make sure your car (if you need it) has fuel! I do this all the time and it’s a nightmare on a morning to try and fill up the tank!
4. Talk to the teacher if you’re unsure about anything. I love the M & S #TrustMeImATeacher campaign because I truly think it’s important to have that trust and know that they too have your child’s best interests at heart.
5. Plan a route to school and have a test drive earlier in the week.
6. Set all the school uniform out the night before.
7. Set your alarms – I know you might *always* get up with the baby at 5am but there is bound to be that one day when the baby sleeps through to 8am!
8. Have breakfast organised and don’t try anything fancy. We have cereals every day and very occasionally toast. A school day is just not the best day for a full English!
9. Talk to your kids but don’t make them feel more nervous. Yes, talk to them about their first day, listen to their concerns if they have any but try to be positive and talk about the great things that happen at school.
10. Avoid the wine and baby photos the night before… I know you want to blub into prosecco about how grown up your tiddler is but don’t do it.
And that’s it! You’re bambino is off to school… go get some cake!
H x
I always like to make sure we have milk for the next day! nothing worse than waking up to no milk! x