My boys go back to school this week and will be going into year six and year five. I know that waving them off at the door (they no longer want me to walk to school with them) will be a bittersweet moment for me and also for lots of other parents.
I clearly remember dropping Maxi at school for the first time, the feeling that it was the end of an era and the start of something new. I was entrusting my precious first born to someone other than me and I was apprehensive. I made sure that I didn’t pass that apprehension on to him and he walked into the classroom with a huge smile on his face.
My fear was never one of him not receiving a good education. It was the small things that scared me. Would he remember to wash his hands after going to the toilet, could he carry his lunch tray, would he make friends and settle into his class.
I needn’t have worried, he had the best time, a wonderful inspiring teacher and loved every minute of school.
Mini on the other hand was a whole new kettle of fish. I didn’t worry about him as I knew that he would be fine as he was going to have the same amazing teacher that Mazi had, but he hated every minute of school. I used to drop him off at preschool and then go and sit in the car till the teaching staff called me to come and collecting him. He used to cry and hold his breath till he went blue!
It was really hard for him and me, but we got through it and my boys have both thrived at their school. Did you know that by year five, which is the year Mini is going into this year there are 58 million children without access to basic education and an additional 130 million children that fail to learn the basic reading, math, writing and social skills.
Persil has teamed up with Unicef in a global initiative to help empower the next generation through education. As part of the learning for tomorrow campaign, they have created a series of films showing children living in other countries on their first day at school. It shows me that what I went through was the same as other mothers throughout the world, but that in the UK we are so lucky to have the access to education that we have.
As part of Persil’s partnership with Unicef, celebrating the giving of 10 million children worldwide access to quality education, Persil are running a Photo-A-Week challenge. Each week for 4 weeks, you could win exciting prizes! Each week Persil will announce a school theme on their Instagram page (@PersilUK) and ask you to upload your photo to Instagram. Just mention @PersilUK using that week’s competition hashtag.
I can not wait to take 2015’s photo and add it to the previous years.
We’re definitely ready for back to school now although we still have a few more days left as they don’t go back until Thursday. I remember their first days well – I have Bethan’s on video somewhere x
My son Liam was fine starting nursery and then primary school which was good as I wasn’t worried about him in that way as he was more than ready.
With Sophie, she had no real time without us, even though she went to playgroups one us was always there. She started nursery over a week ago and she went in and didn’t even bother that we left her there! I was stunned and I admit I had a little cry to myself.
It is such a massive step for both child and parent
Crazy how quickly the time flys by, enjoy taking your back to school photos. x
To me, these holidays have gone so quick, I can’t believe they are over already x
My eldest is about to start her very last year of school – I can’t believe it! She’s hoping to go to Uni next year and I remember her first day of school so clearly.
I have one starting school this year, one starting juniors and one in their final year – it is a big year!!
Aww I tried on my youngest’s first ever school uniform on yesterday as he is going to preschool. It is hard to believe that one day I will be waving them off to go to school alone. We are so lucky in this country to have easy access to schools and in my experience we have had amazing teachers. In fact my little ones are going to the same school as I did with many of my old teachers still teaching there!
It’s so amazing – firstly how time flies but secondly how each of our little ones reacts to situations differently. I know all three of mine will handle things in their own way. Jensen is not fond of it but puts on a brave face, Lyoto can’t wait and Hero is oblivious at the moment – but I too never worry about their education, it’s more the social and mental aspects that worry me most.
Aww bless, they are such amazing boys and I hope they have a wonderful school year xx
Max starts school in a week and I don’t think either of us can wait. He’s so ready for it and used to being without us as he’s always been in nursery. Can’t wait to see him grow up!
I have three children with three different attitudes to school. I’m not looking forward to them going back even though I believe they are ready now as they are so bored and missing routine.
School affects children in different ways it’s crazy. My first absolutely loved it from the get go and couldn’t wait to wave me off. However, my second is devastated when I leave which breaks my heart everytime and has meant we have decided to keep him in his nursery for another year instead of him attending his brother’s school for the first year.
How lovely to look at the back 2 school pictures each year. They grow so quickly, time passes too fast!
I hope their first days back go without too much stress!
I think when they are born during the year makes such a big difference as my summer born was a lot less confident than the others. I too was surprised by how similar but how different my experience was to other mom’s around the world
First day back to school is always nerve racking but I am sure your kids will be fine.
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It’s lovely that you’ve taken photos of them every year. These are precious memories to look back on. That sounds like a great campaign too.
This is such a great campaign, I was chocked to read that so many children don’t receive an education past year 5, it’s just awful.
Lovely photo of your boys, in some ways it must be nice to not have to do the school run anymore. xx
Such gorgeous little men! Love the photos! My little man starts TOMORROW!! Yikes!
How lovely do they look! Super cute. My daughter has just started secondary school – they grow so quickly!