Oh dear. I've just typed the title to this post and the tears have started.
Your child's first day at school is such a massive milestone. For me it will be a double milestone. Both my oldest child AND my youngest child will be starting school next month.
Presley was born in early September 2007 and Cash was born less than a year later, in late August 2008. I will have one child who is the oldest in the year and another who is the youngest in the year. What an interesting social experiment... unless you're a parent - or child - trying to make sense of it all. The dynamics of their relationship are fascinating, but that's not a subject for here right now.
My boys will be directly compared to one another all through their school years. They will be a bit of an oddity. They will be asked if they are twins.
Luckily their Reception class has a double intake so they will be in separate registration groups, although they will be together for free play about 90% of the time. Once they move into Year One they will be mostly split up all day and this will be hard for them, although I believe this will be good for them. They will benefit from time apart to develop friendships of their own.
We also have the advantage that Presley and Cash have spent fifteen hours per week during the last school year in the nursery attached to the primary school. As far as they're concerned they're just moving to a different part of the school and they are looking forward to going. This makes it easier for me waving them off, although the staggered start will be interesting for the first few weeks.
From 1st October both my boys will be full time schoolboys. We'll be in a whirl of book bags and PE kits and lunchboxes and clothes labels (I recommend the sticky clothes labels from Easytoname by the way. They haven't paid me to write about them, I'm just a very satisfied customer).
Obviously I'm looking forward to some time to myself, as well as being able to do some more work. Let's not mention how much sorting out I still have to do around the house, we've still not completely unpacked and we moved into this house over a year ago.
For now I have a couple of spirited pre-schoolers. My babies. My babies who are growing up and into their new school jumpers before my eyes. I'm going to make the most of my last few weeks with them, before I sob at the sight of them in their little uniforms.
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How exciting. We're in a small school where there are two years in most classes, so there are quite often siblings in the same class - one young and one old - and they seem to do fine. Though that's still not the same as you're situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll both do very well and help each other out, but also be able to build some separate friendships.
And you will enjoy those school hours once they come - you'll be amazed at what you can fit in during that fairly small window of time.
Tasha, I'm sure they will both do well, it's a lovely school with a fantastic head and staff.
DeleteYour small school sounds great.
I think the only way I'll be productive during school hours is to turn the computer off..
It is a strange situation but how nice it is that they will have each other for support when they're at school. My two, born early September, will be old in their year and all of our NCT friends will be starting school a whole year earlier, which I think I'll find very odd. At least I can put it off for another year as I know I'll be an emotional wreck!
ReplyDelete@Heather, perhaps I should focus on the fact that they can support one another. Our NCT group is like that too. I'm glad my eldest didn't start school last year, he wouldn't have been ready.
DeleteMy best friend and her brother were in the same year at school and had no problems, but I wonder if it was because they are different sex? My twin nieces are in my oldest's class at school. I think it would be good if they were split up. I am sure your boys will have a great time, it's harder for the parents I think seeing them grow up. My oldest started last year and he loves it, my youngest will start next year. Its an exciting step. Good luck xxx
ReplyDelete@Susan, thanks, it is exciting watching them grow up - but I don't want them to grow up too fast x
DeleteWow that is an odd situation but I'm sure that they will be absolutely fine. Exciting times and how nice for you to have some time for yourself! If you're anything like me you'll sob like a baby on their first day!! xx
ReplyDelete@Emma, I'm sure I'll be a blubbing mess once I've waved them off - hopefully not before! x
DeleteThey will be there for each other - but able to make new friends independently too. While not as close in age as your too, mine are a year apart in school but out of school are best of friends, so having them in different classes has given them the space to be themselves.
ReplyDelete@Jackie, that's great to hear. We're hoping that a little time apart will make them play better together.
DeleteExciting times for all! Xxx
ReplyDelete@Chris, the closer it gets the more excited I get. The boys are looking forward to it too... x
DeleteOMG both going at once - how is it going? They must have started this week. I bet you are having the best weekend after the first week of school.
ReplyDelete@MOIxx, there's a long induction process and they actually start next week. We can't wait. Loved your birthday cakes BTW :)
DeleteAww I've already had my weepy moment waving little one off at big school nursery - he's full time, uniform and all. Such a milestone and so strange how fast it all comes. But I'm relishing these hours to myself already, I'm actually amazed by how much time I seem to have before pick-up!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with it all x
@Babes about town, I hope you're still enjoying all that time for yourself. It's a huge deal and I'm still adjusting x
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