I cannot believe that my boys go back to school today. The school holidays have flown past; my boys will be going into year five and six and in the next few weeks we have to go and look around senior schools for Maxi!
I always feel so conflicted at this time. I love spending the holidays with them, but as an introvert and someone that works from home I am looking forward to the peace and quiet. Each year I seem to get more emotional. I look at my boys and remember when they first started school and how small they are. I remember my worries for them in those first days and weeks and look at how far they have come.
According to research by Kleenex®, I am not the only mum that gets emotional at this time. In fact, almost two thirds of parents (63%) are suffering a rollercoaster of emotions at the thought of their children returning to school. Over a third of parents will also miss their children when they return to school, just as I do.
Each year, I take a picture of my boys in front of the garage and we sit and record a list of their likes. I capture a small moment in their lives. Over the years I have come to realise that the first day of school is much more of a significant thing for me than it is the boys. They are actually excited to be returning, much like the 56% of children aged between 6 and 16 who, according to the Kleenex survey, described themselves as happy and excited to be going back to school. Of course, seeing their friends after the long summer break was the biggest reason for this.
I am relieved though that both the boys are excited to be going back to school especially as Mini went through real anxiety about going to school in his early years. First day blues are still a real problem for around 29% of children. If your child is suffering from back to school anxiety I have some tips here:
Media Psychologist Emma Kenny says: “A child returning to, or starting school for the first time can be emotional for the whole family. Making sure as parents that we offer our children reassurance and support is essential when helping them transition from lazy days back into the school routine. Every parent wants to be able to kiss their child better whenever possible, so sending a little reminder of how much you love them, such as a post it note in their lunchbox or a pocket pack of Kleenex® tissues in their schoolbag can ensure they feel loved and connected to you when you are not there. Let’s face it, we all like a reminder of just how much we are loved.”
This back to school season, Kleenex is encouraging parents all over the country to help their children feel prepared for the start of the new school year by giving them a pocket pack of tissues in their school bags. In the ‘Mad House’ it is me that needs the tissues, not the boys, but I make sure to hide my emotion until they have gone!
If you are interested in how emotional parents get across Britain, take a look at the below map:
It’s such a pressurised time in our house, despite me having been a teacher for the past 9 years. I worry about him making friends and feeling happy, and he doesn’t want to miss the fun at home. I hated school – and I was in the 72% emotional area!
We’ve had a few stressful days in the build up to going back but I think overall it went quite well. Definitely a mixtures of anxiety and excitement for the kids. Relief and sadness for me.
Your gorgeous boys look so grown up.
I feel exactly the same way as you, such a conflict of emotions and it always takes me days of wondering around the house alone before I get used to the quiet again!
I hate it when my son goes back to school. I like catching up with my jobs and feeling more organised, but I do miss my little friend. Your boys are looking so big now.
It’s always a mixed bag of emotions when the kids go back to school. I’m feeling very weird this year as my son has now finished school, but headed to college next week. I’m feeling somewhat of an empty nest syndrome with him now, as he really doesn’t need me as much as he once did :/ Pass the tissues please!
I feel a mix of emotions too; I missed Cheeky Chap today but I also enjoyed having some peace. Much like you I am an introvert and need my time alone, naturally I didn’t get much of that over the holidays!
The photo in front of the garage and listing their hobbies is a cool idea! They may grow to forget certain hobbies that were once so important if we don’t keep a record!
I love that idea of listing their likes. I might have to sit down and do that with Gracie but on one of her drawings. I loved her being in Nursery as but she is starting reception next week and I am dreading her being gone all day!
I love the idea of adding the likes to the images, what a lovely record of the years going by. x
After a bit of a wobbly year last year, I am worried that Isaac won’t settle, especially now they are ramping the work up, but he came home yesterday buzzing about all the things he is going to learn this term and his new teacher is a firm, but fair one. Love the list of likes – i need to do that
My girls have gone into years 4 and 6 and I can’t believe how fast time has flown as well. I really can’t get my head round the fact that Kaycee will be going to secondary school next year and Aiden, my eldest will be leaving school to go to college.
I did get a bit emotional yesterday. Can’t imagine how I’m going to be next year when the school year ends!
The holidays went so fast this year! Hope the boys enjoy going back to school
I love your photo idea! I admit, I too am an emotional wreck when mine go back. It just highlights so starkly how fast time travels and how quickly orecious moments are consigned to history.
Oh I love that idea of listing all their likes. I so wish I’d done that with mine. Am going to start this year for sure. Such a beautiful keepsake xxx