My first day at big school is finally here.
There’s certainly been a build-up to it – it’s all any of the big people have been talking to me about this summer.
“So, you’re off to BIG school soon…ooh, how exciting!” their weird, scary voices boom down at me.
I’m not sure if it’s exciting or not. I’m not sure what to think.
I’ve been wearing the uniform from time to time in the summer holidays, just to try it on for size.
Mummy has tried to sew nice name labels into a couple of things – the sewing is a bit messy – but she seems to have given up on the rest and written my name in thick, black felt tip pen. Not very professional.
She laughs every time I appear wearing it and says, “Aren’t you cute?” then gets the annoying camera out.
I don’t know why though. If you ask me, it seems perfectly sensible to get used to these clothes I’ve (apparently) got to wear everyday. Bye-bye favourite Mr Potato Head T-shirt. You’ve served me well.
There was a lot of fuss about me getting a really early night last night because ‘you’ve got a BIG day tomorrow.’ I kind of wish Mummy would stop with the BIG chat. It’s freaking me out.
Anyway, I didn’t sleep, of course, because it was far too early, so I played with my Yoda and Darth Vader night lights for hours – Darth obviously defeated Yoda every time. Then he turned on Peppa and George. Well, you can guess what happened to them.
So Mummy had to wake me up this morning which seemed to make her extra flustered. She was doing that thing when she’s trying to be super chirpy but actually I can tell she’s stressed out. She sort of sings everything in a high-pitched, crazy way…and shouts at Daddy.
I’m not sure why she’s stressed out, she’s not going to this new school place for the first time on her own, and she’s got the day off work. Nice.
Daddy is unusually hanging around this morning too, instead of rushing around getting ready for work, saying bad words. This is strange.
He’s also super cheery and says, “Come on BIG boy, come and sit with me and have your Weetabix. BIG boys together! Don’t you look smart in your new uniform?”
It’s all very weird. I wish he’d stop it with the BIG chat too.
My clumpy, black shoes are sore and I’m starting to think it might be better if I just went back to nursery. None of this carry on happened when it was little, old nursery. But before I’ve even had time to trash the tidied playroom, it’s time to go and I start to feel scared.
And what’s this…the dreaded camera is out again! What’s going on? I just want a cuddle but Mummy is taking photos of me, snapping away like a deranged nutcase. Oh no, not a selfie of the three of us now, oh please… Daddy obviously feels the same as he suggests she’s taken enough photos and he gets shouted at again.
OK, this is ridiculous. Let’s go. I just want to get on with it now.
They both insist on walking me to the new place and Mummy starts wittering on about how I mustn’t worry if I’m standing all on my own at playtime, feeling really sad and lonely. There’s a school friendship bench I can sit on and someone might just come along and ‘pick me up.’ Jeez, this chat is reassuring.
Daddy tells her to stop wittering and I finally start to enjoy myself – getting time with Mummy and Daddy, both holding my hands and playing one, two, three, swing me in the air.
But then we arrive, and there are children everywhere. Much bigger children.
I feel really small and really scared. I don’t want Mummy and Daddy to leave me here in this strange place. I’m trying to be brave but I can feel my lip quivering.
Mummy bends down and puts her arms around me. Phew, the cuddle at last. It feels so good and I don’t want it to end. I love her safe smell.
When she looks at me her eyes are glistening like they do when one of those little kids sings on Britain’s Got Talent.
Daddy is standing looking a bit awkward, but then he bends down and has his serious voice on when he tells me, “Everything will be OK, you’ll have a great time. You’ll make lots of new friends, you’ll see.”
I’m not so sure, but I’ve got to do this. I don’t think I have a choice.
The new teacher takes my hand. She seems kind.
I turn to look back and see my parents waving inanely at me. I give them a half smile as I don’t want Mummy to start her crying thing. That’s too embarrassing.
I think this is going to be OK. I’m only going to try it for one day anyway, I just haven’t told anyone that part yet.
As featured in Huffington Post UK.
Yes! The little ones often think that its just for a little while and don’t realise that this is their life now for the next 14 years! Eek! Great post. #anythinggoes
Author
I know, I didn’t like to tell mine that he’s going to do this for the next 14 years. Thx for reading x
Oh my word, I love this. I can feel the tears starting already. My eldest goes to ‘BIG’ school in January, and instead of ‘graduating’ with her mates we’re moving across the country and putting them in a new school where they won’t know a single soul except each other and they can’t even see each other until the end of the day. I’m super stressed already.
Thanks for linking up to #globalblogging
Author
That all sounds tough but I bet they take it completely in their stride. Kids seem to cope with change a lot better than us. Good luck with your move when the time comes. Exciting new chapter! x
So cute. Got me a bit teary over here!
Author
Thanks for reading. I was a bit teary when I wrote it! X
awwwww. it was so nice to read something about starting school from a childrens point of view. it got me all nostalgic! #bigpinklink
Author
Thank you for this lovely comment. I got nostalgic writing it as my youngest started two years ago. x
Aw loved this piece-it’s really made me empathise with Xander more-he starts on Fri! All the tissues needed please x
Author
How many tissues did you go through? Hope Xander got on really well – bet he smashed it! xx
Twins start preschool tomorrow!
#anythinggoes
Author
Oh wow, how did they get on? Hope they loved it. Thx for reading x
Ah love this, It made me wonder what my girls think of it all!! My middle child Harri starts next week and I am dreading it. #dreamteam
Author
I dreaded it too when each of my three started in reception but they soon settled and loved it. Harder for us I think sometimes. Thx for reading x
Love it. Our third (and youngest) starts reception in a week. I’m right there. #kcacols
Author
Good luck to them – I felt very proud when all three of them finally went to school, the start of new chapters for them all. Thx for reading x
I start BIG school next Monday and can’t wait! I think my mummy wants to stop time though! #TwinklyTuesday #DreamTeam
Author
It’s so great that you’re up for it and I’m sure you’re going to have a ball. Watch out for Mummy’s tears though, you might need to give her a tissue. Good luck! x
Every kid and parent’s experience. Lovely post. #dreamteam
Author
Thank you and thx for reading and commenting. New chapters! x
love it, very cute. It would be nice to just be able to slip into their heads every once in a while and see exactly what they are really thinking #twinklytuesday
Author
I know, we really have no idea so it was a lot of guess work. Thx for reading.
Love that you’ve written this from their perspective… we keep going on about how tearful we will be and how difficult this is for us, but it’s a hell of a lot more difficult for them. Such a huge change. Brilliant post…
#TriumphantTales
Author
Thanks for this lovely comment. I just remember 2 years ago when my youngest started, that there was so much BIG chat from all the adults and he looked so bewildered by it. x
So beautiful! It made me think that sometimes we forget to see things with a child’s eyes, don’t we? Beautiful. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope to see you again next time!
Author
Thanks for reading. I think it’s easy to forget how the kids might see things, though we’ll never really know what’s going on in their little minds. xx
My youngest granddaughter has recently started school, she was so excited that she was almost sick just trying on uniforms #blogginggoodtime@_karendennis
Author
It’s wonderful when they’re really ready and excited to go. I hope she’s getting on really well. Thx for reading x
Oh that made me well up! My biggest went into Year 2 this year and the smallest starts preschool next week. I’m not ready to be alone all day! #stayclassymama
Author
My youngest went into year 2 too – I can’t quite believe it as it seems that he started in reception just the other day. You might find though, that you suddenly realise that a bit of you time in the house is actually rather nice! Thx for reading and commenting x
This is amazing. It’s so poignant for me with my biggest little starting this year. I honestly held my breath reading this and really felt how unsettling it must be with all the “big” talk that we keep throwing at them. Oh and yes. My two’s mummy shouted at their daddy a lot too that morning haha. Loved this post. Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x
Author
I was running around like a blue-arsed fly with the camera and wanting everything to be so perfect on each of my kids’ first days when actually, what they really need probably is some calm and normality! Hope your biggest littlie got on well – biggest milestone when your eldest starts school I think as it’s all new for everyone. Thx for reading x
Oh I love this. What a great perspective to write this from. And all painfully true. We do go so over board as parents. It is no wonder some kids find it all so daunting when we build it up so much x
#coolmumclub
Author
My little one started 2 years ago and I just remember everybody going on with the BIG chat and how he used to look so bewildered. Thx for reading x
Such a refreshing angle on a parenting milestone…oh, what, it’s a childhood milestone?! 😉
Definitely hits us harder than them, but you’ve nailed that perfectly in this post.
Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub
Author
Thanks – it is such a milestone but as you say, much harder for us I think! Thx for commenting x
This brought a tear to my eye. A really lovely read. Thanks for linking up to #FridayFrolics
Author
Thanks Claire and thx for hosting #FridayFrolics x
Oh my word this nearly had me sobbing again. I have only just stopped crying after dropping my youngest for her day at Primary School on Tuesday. Beautiful post #FridayFrolics
Author
Hope your little one got on really well and you are coping! Think we find it much harder than them tbh. Thx for reading x
Great to see this from the kid’s view point. The last line made me laugh out loud
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
Author
My son really did think after the first day at school that he wouldn’t bother going back! Thx for reading x
Aww this is lovely. I hope you had a good time at school.
#brillblogposts
Author
My youngest started a couple of years ago but I remember all three starting very clearly, it’s quite a emotional time. Thx for reading x
You’ve nailed it! This is exactly it in every way! I feel really emotional reading it. The bit about Darth Vader turning on Peppa made me giggle, and also the tears being like Britain’s Got Talent! Haha. Such a funny post and yet so poignant too! #stayclassymama
Author
Thanks for reading. I hope it all went well for your little one this week if they were starting. x
Aww, this made me really emotional. It brought back memories of my oldest starting school 4 years ago and how scared he was. My youngest started pre-school this week and loved it so I’m hoping starting school next year will be an easier experience for her than it was her big brother.
#FabFridayPost
Hope all is going smoothly tough times for kids and parents Thank you for linking to #ThatFridayLinky Please come back next week
Author
My little one actually started 2 years ago and I can’t believe he’s in year 2 now already so all good. But I remember all three of mine starting so clearly and wondered what they were thinking. Thx for reading x
Ahhh I love this, and also had a little cry at it. I love that you have wrote it from the childs perspective. Starting school is major, we’ve been going through it this week! Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink
Author
Hope it went well for your little one. It’s a huge step into a new chapter – just don’t like to tell them they’ve got another 14 years of it! Thx for reading x
I loved this angle of day 1! Brilliant! I do hope he fared well. You, I know will be fine… well, it does take some time for us. Tears… #FridayFrolics xoxo
Author
Thanks Lisa. My youngest actually started 2 years ago but I remember it so clearly and thought it might be nice to try to get into their little heads for once. Thx for reading xx
Adorable. i hope everything went okay in the end kiddo! #kcacols
Author
All went well, phew! Thx for reading x
Popping back in from #globalblogging!
Author
Thx lovely x
Oh you got me welling up!!! I can feel all the emotions in this post from all of you! You made me chuckle with the shouting at the other half. Thats totally me hahah!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back tomorrow
Author
I always shout at the poor other half when I’m stressed! Thanks for reading and commenting x
I hope it all went well – It’s character building! #humpdaylinky
This is so absolutely brilliant. All over social media we see how school has affected parents but this perspective from a little is wonderful!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime Don’t forget to join us this week!
Author
Thanks for your lovely comment. Often just wonder what on earth their little minds are going through. x
Ah I loved this post the first time I read it, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it this time too! You’ve really described it all so perfectly. And congratulations because someone loved this post so much, they added it to the #blogcrush linky! Feel free to collect your “I’ve been featured” blog badge 🙂 #blogcrush
Author
Thanks Lucy – I was so thrilled to be chosen as someone’s #blogcrush this week. Very exciting. Thx for your lovely comment. x
Haha! My eldest started just school – so love this! Thanks so much for joining us for #FridayFrolics