Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 02:09 pm
Just last year marked a big milestone in our house, a life changing one for us. Our first born started school and I will be honest I was so anxious about it. Like every parent, it’s a big change going from having your child every day in your own care then giving that control up to a stranger, in a new environment, five days a week. I have always been over cautious with B being out of my care, due to his allergies. It took me a long time to really calm down about someone else being in charge of his inhalers, epi pens, and feeding him. But becoming a school mom went from something I was nervous about to something I absolutely love being. There is nothing more fulfilling than watching your babies grow up and start to learn. I mean really learn; beyond just numbers, colors and shapes, and beyond reading and writing. They learn to be social. They mature and learn about the world around them. They learn so much in that first year, like a dry sponge ready to soak up anything wet that it comes into contact with. It’s absolutely beautiful how amazing their little minds work and how fast they adapt.
Once we got a good routine down for the school drop off and pick ups, it became second nature to us. All the things I had worried about, faded away and new things have taken their place to be excited about. I get excited when I pick him up and he comes out bouncing with joy, full of stories of his day and all that he got up to. He loves every thing about school. I look back in the rearview mirror on the way home, listening to his daily stories as he tells them to his sister, wondering how he got so mature and grown up. How did almost one year of reception change him so much?
I love how much it hasn’t affected his relationship with his sister too. If anything it makes them even more inseparable and their reunions are so bittersweet, each day. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. They genuinely missed each other day all day. I can find her running for his classroom gates, long before I even spotted him, myself. They kiss and hug goodbye every morning and embrace when they are reunite. He tells her so much about school that he doesn’t tell me. I love their close relationship. I think it really helps her prepare for school next year. I get these proud Mommy feeling on moments when I see him passing on what he is learning at school to her. I am so proud of him and all he has done with his first year in school.
Being a school mom goes even further than being proud of my son and watching him learn and grow. It’s changed so much of how I parent and who I am. It’s not about feeding, napping, and play time now. We have homework time, school talks over family dinner time and I am getting to know more Moms at school too. I have a new circle of friends that I didn’t expect to find. I am now learning how to parent to a school boy who is constantly wanting to learn more, expects more explanations of the world and some days even uses that attitude to test my patience in a way a teenager would not a toddler anymore. Parenting and friendships weren’t something I expected to change much when I became a school mom. But it has in such a great way that I wonder why I was ever nervous in the first place.
I am so proud of my first born, as he finishes the last few months of his reception year with golden stars in my eyes. He has blossomed into a lovely little boy that I love so very much. I couldn’t be more excited to become a school mom again next year with MM. I only hope she loves it as much as her brother does.
Aw I love this Jenny, I love how proud you are of B and how it comes through in this post. It sounds like he is thriving at school, I do love Mads being at school cause she loves it so much but I must admit I do struggle with the routine of it all- I miss being able to head off and go away whenever we fancied it. x
Oh yes not being able to go for long trips whenever we want is a debbie downer. I have just been so proud of B and how much he has done and changed at school for the better. He adores it and I love his school so much. It’s like I have been adopted into a new little family and community which makes it feel more at home here too.
Oh what a lovely post Jenny – it’s amazing how much our little ones have all grown up and changed in their first year at school isn’t it, and it sounds like B is really truly thriving which must be wonderful to see – although I’ll admit I’m really looking forward to the summer holidays and all being together again!
Yes there is that where it doesn’t quite feel complete with one family member missing during the week. I can’t wait for summer but so glad that school has been such a great experience for him and so proud of him.
Lovely post – it is so strange seeing your child suddenly metamorphise into a schoolboy. I’m still getting used to it and mine is now eight!
Yes I completely agree it is the weirdness thing to watch my first born become a toddler, to a little boy to a school boy so fast. I am enjoying how grown up he seems at the same time as a little sad it goes so fast. I think it would be harder if he hadn’t embraced school and learning so fast too.
That’s great that you’ve really found your place and B’s settled and is progressing so well. It’s amazing how quickly they grow as a person, and progress within just a couple of weeks. I love the chats we have about school in the evenings too.
(Come and link up to #schooldays if you want – it’s open weekly on Sundays)
My older two love school and I hope the younger two will as well. They have some wonderful opportunities and great friends. The only downside is not being able to go away when we want to #sharewithme
The amount they learn in the first year is incredible, isn’t it? It tests my grey matter too when our little girl asks me a question that I might not know, like her teacher does… “okay mummy, I’ll tell you!” Thanks for hosting #sharewithme Jenny
This is such a lovely post. I can’t imagine how exciting it must be when they start school and to see them come on so much. It’s great that he loves it so much and the sibling relationship they have is just adorable. Gorgeous pics of them both xx #sharewithme
Jenny, huge congratulations on your two nominations – amazing! Best of luck with it. I agree with you, becoming a school mum changes your life, and mostly in good ways. Some of my best friends now are through school, but you do get that attitude you mention! Can’t believe MM is going in September too! Shame about you letting SWM go but I’m sure it’s taking up too much of your time now. I’m sorry I haven’t been linking up, I rarely do linkys these days as spending a lot less time on the blog for life reasons! xxx
A lovely post Jenny! It is lovely when they tell you what they are up to with a big beaming smile x
Jenny this post makes me miss our school days. Mine all moved up to secondary last year and I miss the school gate thing of primary and the friendships formed. You have some fun times ahead and it’s lovely hearing all about their day after school, as teens they tell you so little. #Sharewithme
What a lovely sentiment to your B. He’s so grown up and the pride you have for all he’s accomplished and all that you’ll hope he’d be is so clear in this piece you shared with us. He is so very lucky to have you as a mom. Thanks for sharing and hosting us on #sharewithme this week 🙂
Aww this is so lovely, it sounds as though he is doing so well and no wonder you are so proud! Eva starts school in September and I am dreading it, it’s very hard to let them go isn’t it? I know she is ready, but am I?!! #sharewithme
Such a lovely post 🙂 I’m also a new school mum, H started in September as well. I worried so much about her starting but she took to it straight away which definitely made life easier for me! Sounds like B has done brilliantly 🙂
A lovely post and gorgeous children!! We are facing Mia starting school next year and I’m already dreading it! Mias our only one and it seems really sad that shes going to be going to school but also really exciting at the same time! Its such a massive thing for them and they seem so little 🙂
#sharewithme
Lovely 🙂 I’m so glad that he’s settled in well at school and you’re enjoying this part of the parenting adventure. We really enjoyed this stage and made some lovely friends though it 🙂
Lovely. I think I will feel this way. It will be so strange when the girls are not at home with me all the time, & it makes me sad they are growing up so fast, & I’m a worrier. But I think I will love all the things you do about it too. I suspect my two may be similar about the eldest going off to school too – if the little one is away from the eldest for any amount of time she incessantly asks where she is, and the eldest loves telling little one everything that has been going on. #sharewithme