Like many other families this week, we faced the big milestone of starting school.
For a long time, I had anticipated this day. To see the twinions not only reach the next level of independence, but to also do it on their own terms. Hence, we decided to put them in separate classes.
While the teachers had pre-warned that the first day of school was going to be a crazy jungle, I had not expected it to be diabolical.
Kids crying, paparazzi parents (including yours truly) pushing through like fan crushing a rock concert.
Bad cop teachers using their best theatrics to get everyone’s attention, good cops doing their best to grin and bear.
Just as my nerves started to calm as I saw K-Bear line up obediently, ready to launch his school career, everything went to pieces when it was Nunu’s turn.
Quietly waiting in his line, some kid behind him started pushing him, yelling in his face, “Get out of my waaaaay!!!”
With the railing between me and my boy, I watched in terror as this kid continued to scream at my son.
In his attempt to take control of the madness, Mr Surfer was unsuccessful in reaching over and but managed to catch the boy’s eye and say sternly, “Hey, that’s not very nice. Don’t push him…”
In seconds, they all marched into class. The moment Nunu was gone, I burst into tears. I completely lost it and buried my head in my husband’s chest.
What a shitty, shitty, shitty first day.
The screaming kid’s mum saw the final moments and while she tried to stop her son, it was too late. But she did apologise profusely, which was really, really lovely. It didn’t take much to see how embarrassed she was.
In the heat of excitement and nervousness, it could have easily been one of my children because, as I shockingly discovered, on the first day of kindy, there is only bedlam in the schoolyard.
But every schoolyard has its special tree – one that offers sanctuary, some time to peace out. That’s where I sat for a while. Trying to digest this new chapter in our lives.
The small incident I witnessed my son go through was probably more a lesson for me to toughen up because he seemed pretty unfazed by it.
And if he’s okay, then I should be okay.
Maybe.
Still.
This schoolyard. It’ll see the best and worst of every kid.
Was it your child’s first day of school this year? Any memories from previous years? Got any tips for a brand new (read: clueless) school mum?
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Oh Grace. Big day!
I remember my son’s first day of kindy. Not my daughter’s so much. She was miss independent whereas he spent the first term crying every time I took him to school. Heart breaking.
This year though he started high school. And my daughter started Year 11 (college) at a new school. Another two big firsts for us. No tears though … from me or them. Although I have two very exhausted kids in my house so there may be tears from one of us before tonight.
My only “starting school” tip is to focus on the positive when they get home every day. Ask “what great things happened in your world today?” to get them to focus on the good stuff. Then ask about the challenges. Once the good stuff has been shared the challenges don’t seem so big to them … or you.
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Wow! What a pity your twins first day at school was marred by that screaming and shoving boy! My son started high school and my twins started year 11 this year. The school years absolutely fly by! My advice is to get involved in the your twin’s school in the first years if possible and help out. Get to know the other parents and kids because in high school there are fewer opportunities to do so.
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That’s great advice, Ingrid! I hear that there’s very little opportunity to get to know other parents during high school!
There is nothing worse than seeing some kid be mean to yours. And on the first day, when you are already scared for them, that must have been awful on you guys. I’m glad he as not overly bothered by it and good on the other kid’s mum for acknowledging it and apologising. Her son may just deal with first day nerves very differently but I bet he was scared inside, too!
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You’re right, Amy. His mum was saying that he’d moved schools quite a few times already and he was just overexcited. I totally get that.
That never stops – just yesterday I watched 3 younger boys go over to my daughter’s friend and say something mean – what they were saying was completely stupid but it was still upsetting – by the time I got to her they were gone. We talked about it, then my daughter came over and she had seen it. I was furious she hadn’t come over and defended her friend (she was playing with another girl at the time). 3 against one is less of a problem when it’s 2 against one, especially when the 2nd child is a ferocious lion when she wants to be….
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Aren’t you all gorgeous in your matching blues? And I love the umbrella pic.
Well done on getting through the first day. We were fine – if Ashleigh had been born just a few weeks earlier, we would have sent her off to school last year. She’s been ready for ages and barely looked back. (I still get big cuddles at the end of the school day thought, which is lovely!)
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P.S. I accidentally added the wrong post so then added today’s. Please delete the ‘Top web reads of Jan’ when you get a chance. Until then, I’m really sorry to double-dip. Not my intention. x
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No worries, Em! I’m leaving it in there anyway. Just because 🙂 x
I’m sad that the first day was spoilt by that boy, but on the flip side, you should be so proud at how well both boys settled and that Nunu was totally unfazed. In my experience as a kindy teacher, the first day is often harder on the parents than it is on the kids! You all did good!
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I know how you feel! My son’s in Grade 3 now but I do remember how it was when he started school. And it’s so weird how we get more upset about things like your incident than the actual kids do – I’ve learnt not to make a big deal about it if they didn’t get that upset about it, as it just makes it worse. Kids move on from stuff like that in no time!
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It’s an emotional time isn’t it? I farewelled my first off to school last week. He went off without incident and seemingly has settled in like he’s at home. Before hand I decided my motto was going to be if he can be brave, then I can be brave because really isn’t it a bigger deal for him? Easier said than done of course.
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What a day! PS I love that you were all wearing blue (what looks like the school colours). I’m sure your boys will be loving it before too long. They look ADORABLE.
Oh gosh. What a first day Grace! We learn more about our fears as mums when we send our kids to school I think. My post talks about our latest challenge with finding friends at school, and funnily enough, I’m not the only parent experiencing this concern either. I hope the twins have a great time at school, can develop strong friendships and fall in love with learning. Congratulations on becoming a ‘school mum’. xx
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Oh you poor thing!!!! Back when I was teaching we used to always tell the parents that the first day was way harder for them than the kids! Your little possums will be fine!! This is such an exciting time for you all (and a bit scary too!!!). xx
So so feel for you with those memories of ‘first day’. There is NO easy or right way to do first days for some kids and in some schools. To be honest, I’ve overseen it in a number of different forms and they each have their ideals and their downfall. If they could capture all of the emotions that are emanating around a school on first days I think the world would implode. Anyway it’s done. You and Mr S have raised and are raising great sons. Onward. Denyse
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Great pics Grace. Sounds like Nunu is OK from his encounter with the pushy boy, how horrible for a first day. It’s so hard for us to surrender that protectiveness for them as we send them off to school, but you’ll be OK! What is it about the first day of school that it always seems to rain (just to add to the chaos)! It rained last year when our Little Yang went off to Prep – he was fine though, and had his big sister at the school. Now she’s headed off to high school and he is doing Prep again – he has been worried about being away from his friends from last year and being ‘left behind’. I’ve had the ‘I hate you Mum it is all your fault’. But I know it will work out in the end.
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Wouldn’t it be funny if the kid who was pushing and yelling becomes Nunu’s best friend?!
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Funny you should say that, Deb! The next morning they had to line up in pairs and guess who’s hand Nunu was holding? 🙂
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Oh gawd no! Let the fun begin. School is feral and now you will need to wear the big parenting pants from here on. (Those pants grow in size every year with your kids too.) My eyebrows are still raised at my own years in primary – do you remember it?! Brrrr! Lovely pics hun. X
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Oh what a debacle Grace.
For us it was the best start to a school year yet (but he is only in grade 3).
He eagerly dressed for school in the morning and happily went into his new class with a friendly welcoming teacher. He was happy catching up with a few friends (we are in split this year so don’t know half the kids), and then he just waved me off – so grown up.
And so different from previous years of tears and clinging so tight to me the teacher has had to pry him off.
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Oh Grace it is soon normal to be very emotional and overly protective at the start. I cried when my 1st, 2nd and last went to primary school ( I think I knew my 3rd was ready and needed the challenge). I cried when my 1st, 2nd and 3rd (4th still too young) went to high school.
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Lil Pumpkin had her first day in her new primary school this year too!! She’s adapting to it so well though and honestly, the school anxiety we feel is really just us sometimes.. the kids will do fine!!! 🙂
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Oh I just want to give you a big hug after reading that. That would have been hard to see on your first day. What an introduction to school. Glad to hear he took it in his stride. I suppose they’re used to pushing and shoving at daycare. I hope the rest of the week went smoothly for you. I’m a new school mum this year too. It’s gone well for the most part with a few tears here and there xx
Awww they look well and truly ready! Some kids can be just little poos! You are certainly bringing up your boys to be resilient, I cracked open the champagne the day our last daughter started school. I am loving having some independence back and some freedom in my life! Embrace it! I have one starting University in a couple of weeks, I think tissues will be required that day!
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No schoolyard advice from me! But you’re boys are SO ADORABLE and I’m glad to hear it went as well as it did. Glad to be back flogging the blog this year. Hope it’s a good one for you and yours. x
Hellooo you!
Oh man I remember that last year. I think it was harder for me than my little guy.
It will all be fine, they are much more adaptable then we think.
Happy weekend lovely lady.
My advice, enjoy the ride. xx
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Exciting chapter ahead indeed Grace! hope the twinions has a great day apart and despite the little incident. I stand with you on the clueless school mum front!
My daughter has just finished her first week at Intermediate School. Eek! No more primary school. It took me back to when she first started school, she was so little and we both cried on her first day. It does get easier…enjoy these amazing milestone moments with your children! You and your children will be FINE! Have a fabulous weekend, Grace.
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So many bloggers sent kids off to school for the first time this year. I’m secretly glad I don’t have to do it for a few more years. Maybe by then I’ll be ready for the separation. My heart would break if I witnessed someone pushing my child too, how horrible to have that happen on the first day. Hopefully it was just a minor moment and didn’t dampen his day.
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Aww, they’ll be ok!! The first day of school is always crazy. Hopefully that little boy was just overwhelmed by everything and will turn out to be a friend to your son! 🙂
The first day was pretty manic from memory. A lot of hugs, a lot of photos, a lot of tears, a lot of silence once home.
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Oh the school yard is such an emotional rollercoaster for both the kids and the parents! Hope the rest of your son’s first day went OK after that rocky start. Poor little guy. Your post bought back memories of last year when my Miss 6 started. I was ok until she started crying when it was time for me to go, I held it together until I got out of the classroom and then cried. I was pregnant at the time so it was all extra emotional for me 🙂 Now I can’t believe she has started Grade 1 this year and my eldest is in Grade 5 Bai the high school hunt begins – it all goes by way too fast!