the school series : the first day
“Few sights are as touching or emotionally overwhelming as that of our child releasing our hand and walking off to the classroom on the first day of school. The pre-school years are over. Our responsibilities shift and we find ourselves beginners once more. Raising schoolchildren proves to be a radically different experience from tending our under fives. Amateurs once again, we face a new stage of motherhood each time one of our children starts school.”
– Sarah Napthali, Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren.
And so on Monday morning I hugged him tight, told him I was proud and that I loved him so. He walked happily into his classroom; the beginning of a journey.
To be honest it was easier than I expected. I only cried a few tears and they were, most definitely, happy ones. Che? He was prepared, excited and full of wonderings, a beautiful place to be. He is in a small class of 16 students and his teacher is bright and bubbly and fun – the very best kind.
Come Monday afternoon Che ran to Daniel and I and hugged us both. Before we could say a word he stood proud and said: “I loved it!”
But it’s what he shared on the way home that will stay with me forever.
“Mum, the Year 1 girls are so beautiful and they do really beautiful craft projects. They walk beautifully too.”
To all of you who left such heartfelt, reassuring and encouraging comments in the lead-up to school – thank you, they meant the world.
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I’ll return to this series in a few weeks time. Whilst I don’t plan to share a lot about Che I will talk a little bit about my new role and how I’m navigating the 5-day-a-week routine (without much drama, I hope).
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I am so glad to hear that your little one enjoyed his first day and such beautiful and thoughtful words he had about his first day. It sounds like the start of a wonderful journey. xx
Wonderful to read 🙂 Sounds like Che is very impressed with his school and his new journey in life! You did a wonderful job preparing your little boy… I hope that I can do the same for my little girl next year.
Sophie xo
It sounds like it couldn't have done better! What sweets things for Che to say about the girls 🙂
x
I had no doubt that Che would love it…but it is nice to hear those suspicions confirmed!
Beautiful photo of you and Che. And must make you so happy to know he loves school! Laughed at his comment about year 1 girls… starting young! x
Haza! A perfect first day (for all of you!). May the rest of his school days be filled with much joy.
xo
Lisa
So pleased that it went so well, its the build up and thoughts before that are the scarey worrying things. I can remenber when our eldest Bodie started school, he will be 7 in March hard to believe.
He missed out on pre school and lots of groups etc as at two and a half on a trip to Egypt he caught HUS which caused kidney failure (we almost lost
him). So when school time arrived he started about 7 months later than the others kids.
I can remenber being beside myself with worry, trusting others to look after my precious brave fella. His school is small and look after him wekl, he loves it abd has lits of friends
Sorry my youngest son pressed publish before I could edit lol
but as I said they look after him well and he has lits of friends. Just dreading high school now lol. Sorry for waffling on 🙂
Oh Jodi, what a sweet little soul you're raising. That comment.. melt. x
Go Che! My Lola is in a tiny class with some Year 1 kids as well. I like the feel of it. x
Me too! It's how the Montessori classes are organised so it seems quite normal for us, which is good. Hope Lola is having fun x
We were thinking of you all when Monday rolled around – and are so happy to hear it was a success. You and Daniel have prepared Che, and yourselves, well for this new journey. May the this next chapter in your lives be filled with adventure, discovery and a wealth of happiness.
Sar xx
ps. Che is a gem – such a big heart and bright mind. He is bound for great things! A testament to you and Daniel, and the nurturing way you are parenting.
Beautiful words Sarah, thank you x
Love that quote and to hear of Che's start to school.
For me it wasn't so much that first day of school but today a week later looking in the classroom before end of school watching my little guy* try so hard to use the scissors to cut out the zigzags of a paper crown and struggling with it. He looked so tired and frustrated and sad but he was sticking with it and doing his very best at the end of a long day. Lets just say it was a good day for me to be wearing my sunglasses and that I will be sure to take them with me each day and not spend too much time looking in to the classroom in future : (
*He has HFA/Aspergers diagnosis and started Prep in a mainstream school this year. Was just a jolt to the heart and instant tears of pride and sadness thinking how far he has come and how much harder it is for him and the challenges he faces getting through each day all the days ahead. Bless his little cotton navy blue with light blue/maroon striped regulation formal dress uniform socks!
Oh Michele, you have me teary too! Yes, bless those socks and his mighty determination x
I have tears. Just beautiful. What a lovely first day experience!
Oh Jodi, it sounds like Che's first day went beautifully. You must be so happy. I look forward to hearing how you navigate the school Mum role over the coming weeks and months xx
I'm so happy it went so well. I got the chills reading that he "loved it". Excited to read more about you journey as a school mum.
Brava Mama! Bravo Che! joy-filled tears are a blessing. So is the little ache and squeeze in your heart when they dance off to new adventures without you. You are doing such a wonderful job at being his mum. love these inspirational snippets of your life.
I remember the first days very well. It's an equally big milestone for us Moms as well and an even bigger reminder that time goes by so fast. I am so thrilled that Che loved it and that you're learning to navigate your days in a different way now.
xo Sarah
pretty post. i love those colored pencils in the first shot. so indicative of childhood.
kw ladies in navy
watch out girls! he will be a heart breaker. xo
Great to know that Che loved his new phase and that you had a smooth transition.
Leaving the hand and walking independently to the classroom is such an emotional and powerful statement.
Loved the pictures.
What a beautiful start. My kids still fondly remember their kindergarten teacher. Unfortunately she passed away a few years ago – a great loss to our part of the world.
When I did my education degree, the lecturers said the best teachers should be in K to 2!
I'm glad it went smoothly for you both 🙂 You'll be right in the rhythm of it before you know it!
I can't even fathom the idea of my Bub going off to primary school. But he did start Montessori day care this year and I will admit to being an incredible sook.
His dad takes him on his way to work, and I get a phone call every day from him to tell me how, little by little, day by day Bub is happier and has grown more confident … this week Bub ran into day care took his drink bottle to the collective bottle tub and didn't look back! Great progress indeed!
I am sure with your loving guidance Che will be able to navigate his way through the next big stage of his life (12 years! Ridiculous!). I look forward to reading about your experience and am pleased you are heedful Che's privacy.
So happy everything went well for you and Che – that boy is wise beyond his years. How sweet of a sentence to share with you on the way home!
And so it begins….I'm so glad his first day was good! He sounds ready for this. As a mother to almost 4 year old twin boys I'm so very curious about this new phase in parenting. Thank you for sharing!
xo
cortnie
glad to hear everything went well and he loved it 🙂 looking forward to read more….love the photo of his shoes 🙂
Oh, so precious, so glad it went so wonderfully, I love his observations, sweet little one.
So Che loved school! How encouraging : )
Finally it begins…that reminds me of my first day in school!!!
I literally imagined that being my little boy and felt all warm and teary-eyed. I'm so happy for you guys!
I am in awe and tears and so lovely that he enjoyed the first day 🙂
http://www.bebenus.com
I sent my third, and last little one off to school last week. She is one of the youngest but with a big brother and sister already there, she is quite well practiced in school routines. The send off was not as I had imagined – I sent my husband to settle her in as I had to organise the other two to their classrooms, distribute book packs, meet new teachers, etc. By the time I reached the prep classroom it was time to say goodbye. I managed a quick hug and a check that she was ok and then she was gone. But I can't be sad – she is a confident and beautiful little girl who is also loving every minute of her new school routine. Me – well the house is quiet and I missed her when there was no-one to share Sushi with me on Friday – like we used to – but fingers crossed we will both benefit from this new kind of normal!
I love this for so many different reasons, Jodi xx