Starting School Tips

I've loved these holidays and having family time but it is time for them to end.

School started back today for the oldest two.  Little Bun launches her preschool career tomorrow and I am looking forward to it with gusto.  I spent today sorting out some of the school supplies the bigger ones are going to be needing for next week and I couldn't resist taking macro photos of pencils.  I won't bore you with the whole series, but suffice it to say, I'm in love with rainbow colours.

I'm looking forward to having silence in the house (for once).

I'm looking forward to being able to do tasks uninterrupted by Wiping Bum Duty, Drink & Snack Duty, Break Up the Fight duty or Mop Up the Pee duty.

I'm looking forward to being able hold a conversation with another adult without having to stop mid-thought.

I'm looking forward to sewing more, writing more, creating more, taking more photographs.

I'm looking forward to not having to compete for computer time.

I'm looking forward to being able to tidy and for things to stay tidy (at least until 3pm two days a week).

I'm looking forward to cooking without having to have a helper.

I'm looking forward to being able to think coherent thoughts.

I'm looking forward to going to the supermarket alone.

I'm looking forward to decluttering the house and getting things done!

I'll definitely miss them but for the moment, I'm going to enjoy (guilt-free) the honeymoon period where after a decade I can at last breathe and have a few minutes for myself.

Tomorrow marks a whole new era.  I think we'll have to have a special Friday afternoon tea to celebrate.

Unlike me, my neighbour is a first time Kindy Mum and it occurs to me that while I'm busy rubbing my hands with glee, a lot of other Mums are wondering what exactly is to come and feeling just a little bit emo at the thought of Baby Number One leaving the nest.

Here's my advice if that's you:

1. Take a camera to the first day of school.  You'll love having those photos to look back on when they're in Year 6. I found Lillipilli's first day of school photos on the weekend and was sighing over how sweet she was and how much she's grown in just three years.
2. Celebrate with a special afternoon tea afterwards.
3. Plan something fun in for yourself to do on their first day at school to take your mind off things.
4. Say a quick and cheery goodbye and leave them on a high note.  They'll take their cue from you.
5. Write a special little note for them to read at school and hide it in their lunch box.
6. Live in the moment and enjoy the time you have by yourself.  Every season has it's benefits and having a bit more free time for yourself will make you a healthier, happier person and a better parent when you're with them.
7. Make a point of getting to know the teachers, they'll give you the real low down on how your child is doing.
8. After they've had time to settle in, arrange some playdates with kids they've gravitated towards.  It opens up a whole new social circle for you and for them.
9. Expect them to have a great time and for school to be a positive experience and in general, they will and it will be.  
10. School is tiring, make sure you plan in restful after school activities and give them some space to let off steam.  They've spent all day being good for the teacher, sometimes they just need a good jump on the trampoline or a run round the garden to get things out of their system.

Have you got any other tips for first time Pre-school or Kindy Mums?