Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi guys, It doesn't seem that long ago since I was posting about the birth of my first born on these boards. Well, now Mikey is off to school. I will be taking him this morning for his first solo session. He will be there for a couple of hours on his own today and the rest of the week in preparation. He then goes full time April 9th. I can't believe my baby is growing up. I know a number of you have been there before, but it feels so depressing and amazing at the same time. I am worried (though I know I have little to worry about). And I am sad that I am losing my grip. But it is a part of life, right? Another part of me feels a little guilty, like I have spent too much time working (or on LP) and not enough time with the kids. I hope he does ok. He hardly slept last night because he was too excited.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm sure he'll love it. Nephew (4) started in September and he's come on in leaps and bounds since then. Mikey'll be friends with all the girls in his class in no time!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Kiz. I am working from home today so I could take him in. I got to the school and he was showing off his new jumper and bag (the same as everyone else's), but the staff made a big deal of him looking smart in his uniform. We then went into the classroom. After he hung up his coat, he made friends with a little girl and the huddled together looking at a book. He forgot all about me! As I left, the headmistress asked if I was ok. I said "Does it show that much?". She said not to worry, she was the same when her's started and she taught at the same school they attended. She said she was currently freaking out because he "baby" is currently in Iceland with the Scouts. Lol. When I got back to the car, I called sarah and she told me off for stealing her thunder, she wanted to post on LP. Oooops (sorry hun). Well just then, I lost it. I couldn't help but shed a tear (darn, when am I going to harden up) and regret maybe working so hard. It's in their interest however. I know Mikey will be just fine (though Jess is behaving like Tinker Bell this morning, put out that Mikey got to go but she didn't. I pick him up on 45 mins (today is a trial day). I wonder what I will be like on his 1st full day?
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle It sounds like he'll be absolutely fine, he's certainly a 'people person' already! It's good that they give them a 'trial' time to get them all settled in before going full time. As for working too much, don't worry about that. Kids don't think in those terms. My dad worked a lot when I was younger (he still works full time despite trying to retire about 15 years ago!) and everyone marvels at how close we are to this day. And you obviously adore your kids and vice versa!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Catfish, you are an angel for making me feel a little better. I get to pick him up in 10 min!
Originally Posted By debtee Wow I can't believe how fast that time has gone by! Congrats to Mikey on his first trial day of school.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Debtee, I know, it has gone so quickly. Then again, I do think they start them far too early here. He is actually starting 6 months later than they like, but I did not think he was ready back then.
Originally Posted By bloona I just told my kids that he is starting today and theyre all excited for him, I bet he had a fantastic time. My two settled in fine, nursery was a bit tough for Connor, but school he just got on with it, he started just after his 4th birthday. No option here because the school is so popular that when a friend asked if they could delay their child starting they were told the place would just be given to someone else. Nice gentle start into school life too by the sounds of it, a few hours at a time. Connor was only half day until the term before his 5th birthday (he was actually so jealous of others staying all day..lol) Oh Im all excited for him (but know what youre going through too) x
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Cheers Bloona. Samething here, he is going to school in another village up the road as our local school is full. But there are only 46 kids in the whole school and a staff ratio of 1 to 7! Plus there is a dairy farm behind the school, so they can see cows from the playgound! I really like their headmistress, she believe play and citizenship are the two most important things in the early years (I agree). It was funny though, Jess said when we picked him up "My turn tomorrow???" I bust a gut. Teacher said he was fine, a little boisterous and independent at times (I wonder where he gets that from), but she said no more than normal for a 1st day. Same again tomorrow. I'm in Birmingham and London this week, so Sarah will be the one taking him in. Lol
Originally Posted By u k fan I can guarantee from personal experience that Mikey will remember the times you are around more than the times you aren't. Dad worked funny hours and was often home when I got home from school (or he would come to collect us), but I'd be lying if I said everyday and yet the only times I can ever remember being collected from school are the ones where he was there waiting with a bar of chocolate. <<her "baby" is currently in Iceland with the Scouts.>> Getting his Frozen Pea Appreciation badge!!!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS <Another part of me feels a little guilty, like I have spent too much time working (or on LP) and not enough time with the kids.> Dave, Dave, Dave. Please don't give another thought about being guilty. Working is a part of life, and if you didn't work, your kids wouldn't have a nice, safe school to attend, or the family vacations or fun times. You were there for Mikey's first experience at school. This will be very, very important to him as he gets older. Not every parent cares that much, believe me. And you can't tell me that if are on LP , and Mikey or Jess need you or call you or just want to cuddle with you, that you wouldn't drop us like a hot potato and take care of your kids pronto. Just being with you for a few days proved to me that you and Sarah both absolutely adore those kids and it shows. They notice everything you've done for them, believe me. So no more guilt, mister. You are on the path to greatNESS and wonderful parentNESS. Your love for your family shows and they know how you feel. OH yeah, please tell Mikey that his American best friend is proud of him, and if he needs anything from the good old USA for school, PB wants to send it to him for a congratulatory present. She says "Way to go, buddy!"
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo ^^ Haunts you have to tell PB this. Dave will be putting a photo on latter of Mikey in his school uniform (very cute) I said to him we would show it to our friends on the internet so he comes out with 'Yes show it to my best friend Brittany, she's a pirate!'
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Well despite the fact that he wa only their for one and 3/4 hour he is very tired laying in the middle of the floor in the lounge right now flat out asleep.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy Glad to hear he had a wonderful first day. Dave, I agree with Haunts. Andrew always remembers dad taking him on the 1st day of school every year. And on the last day we both pick him up and take him someplace to have ice cream.
Originally Posted By smedley Dave you and Sarah a great parents! Mikey loves you to bits, and I'm sure he'll do great!! Not sure about having been replaced by PB in his affections mind you....
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks guys. It's not the fact I work, but the fact that the nature of my work means I can go 5 days without seeing my kids awake. But you are all right. I try to make up with quality time when I am with them. And by me doing what I do, it means Sarah is there for them 24/7. If I took a normal management job down the street, we would either be stressed out about making ends meet, or Sarah would have to get a paid role too. I am desperately going to try to be there the 1st and last days of school, as well as school plays etc. as much as possible. Today, he painted, counted coins and had a story. When we picked him up, we were all there - Sarah, Jessie and me. And when we got home, we sat down and he told us all about it while we shared a cadbury's chocolate bar. Then I hopped back to work. And Smeds, my boy is a gigalo, you know that! He's young, one day he'll settle down.
Originally Posted By murfsmom dave and sarah- the first day of school is always traumatic ------- for the parents!! trust me they adjust better than we do and as for feeling guilty about not spending enough time with them, not to worry,i watched how mikey and jess looked at you and sarah, there's nothing but love and the feeling of security going on there !!if you didn't work the hours you do you would never be able to provide the wonderful memories that you have given them in their short years on this earth. so guilty, no, thankful yes! and besides when they start bringing home boatloads of homework you will have more "togetherness "than you ever thought possible !! LOL
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains <Then I hopped back to work.> that could be part of the problem - hopping might not be the best commute option... Trust me dwb - it's not the amount of time - but what you do with that time!! Just from the look of your pix - your kids know you love them and you all seem very close!1
Originally Posted By u k fan My Dad was always out by the time we got up in the morning, but he always left us a note before he went. It was quite often general stuff like don't forget to buy milk or whatever, but we used to love sitting down in the morning and reading those notes. It made us feel like he was there with us!!!
Originally Posted By iamsally Congratulations Sarah and Dave. You survived it. I always cried on my kids' first day of school and then again when they graduate. (That can be from kindergarden or college and any milestones in between.) As for Mikey, I am sure he is fine and anxious to go back. If he is; that is a sign that he feels safe and secure and for that you guys can take credit.
