Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,


image

Well the week I wasn’t particularly looking forward to is over. After a fantastic summer holiday full of fun (see previous post) it was back to school time. Yes the kids drive me mad sometimes. Yes sometimes it’s good to have a break but it still annoys me
that the most precious things in my life spend more time with other people than they do with me. It’s the same with work…. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week of doing something to provide for a family that you rarely see??? It just doesn’t make sense?? As far as I see it you’ll never regret not working enough but will always regret not spending more time with those you love.

So, back to my point. I’ve reluctantly accepted Tristan going to school. He’s my eldest and I’m very proud of the boy he has become and school has to take some credit for that. He loves school which helps. However this year was different. My little baby girl was starting School. My 4 year old princess. The girl who I’m sure, only last week, I was changing nappies and teaching humorous words that would enevitably get me into trouble. Alisha was starting school and I wasn’t ready.

image

I’m sure any parent will tell you when your youngest child starts school it’s a terrifying occasion. It’s the first real indication they are growing up and no longer the baby they once were.
Now don’t get me wrong, she’s ready. She’s more ready than Tristan was at this age. She’s independent and very very clever. She was looking forward to school and turns out she really enjoyed it but that’s not the point.

image

For the last 4 years she has been ‘the little one’. I now have two school aged children.
I have now found myself seeking constant reassurances from them both that they will still be my babies :

“You’ll always love me won’t you?”

**Sigh** “Yes Daddy”

“You’ll never be too big to give me a hug will you? “

” Of course not Daddy…. but I can’t give you a kiss at school, my friends might see “.

It’s a difficult time in a child’s life starting School but it’s ten times worse for a parent. I know Alisha will be happy at school. I know the teachers are nice and will look after her but there’s a voice in my head that wants to scream:

“IT’S NOT FAIR. WHY DO YOU GET TO SPEND THE WHOLE DAY WITH MY KIDS???? ”

image

And also the slightly less rational voice that wants to threaten those in school that if they don’t look after my kids properly I won’t be responsible for my actions….. but don’t worry that’s normal. Right??? 😉

So at the end of the day I have two very proud children who love gong to school.

image

I’ll control my emotions enough to get through it. I’ll encourage them and make sure they know how important school is. However there will always be a small part of me that is bitter towards the system that allows ‘strangers’ to spend more time with our kids than we do. When they look back over their infant years will they remember those evenings of having tea and going to bed or the 7 hours they’ve spent with their friends?? It’s a depressing thought but I will do everything I can to make the moments we have together special and holidays WILL be the most memorable times of their young lives….  I’ll make sure of it! :)……

…. But don’t get me started on school holidays, the cost and the fact we are ‘not allowed’ to take our kids away when it can be half the price. That’s a whole other blog for another time! 🙂

I know other parents go through the same emotions. Let me hear your thoughts and experiences…. Comments are always appreciated!