The last week has been an absolute whirlwind. There's just been so much happening, especially with trying to get Jake into a proper routine for school. Hopefully, the trends we set this year, are the trends Jake will stick to for the rest of his school career.
I make sure that his lunch box is packed the night before and that his uniform is ironed and ready for him to get himself dressed in the morning. We wake up early each day (6am), which gives us time to take it easy in the mornings. I don't do frantic very well. It's easy for now because the weather is good, but I'm pretty sure that when winter comes, we'll lie in until the last minute and then there'll be a mad scramble to get ready and to school before the bell rings at 7:55. For now, we are trying to walk to school as often as we can, which gives us time to chat and get our blood pumping before the day begins. Jake seems to enjoy this time together and chats non-stop all the way to school. It's only about a 15 minute walk, so I have plenty of time to walk/jog home and get ready for work.
So far, drop-offs have gone well. I've managed to hold it together for him (sometimes only just), although I do find myself thinking about him so much during the day and I can't wait to get home to him each afternoon to hear all about his day. I think that having had time to get used to him going off to pre-school (and playgroup before that) first makes leaving him much easier for me. Still, it's a big school, with around 1200 kids, and he's just a little guy. He's only 6 and no matter which way you look at it, at 6, they're really still babies.
On Thursday morning, he went to school with a sore tummy. He was fine when I left him, but by the time his Auntie Josette & 2 cousins arrived at school, he was in tears. Thankfully, Josette stayed with him until the bell rang and he was able to go into his classroom. The teacher said he was fine as soon as they got going. On Friday and again this morning, he had a wobbly lip, but he has managed to hold it together. It is heartbreaking to leave them when you know that they're uncertain. As a mother and while Jake is in my care, it's my job to protect him. To keep him safe and to give him the happiest childhood possible. It's very hard to let go and to watch your children making mistakes as they grow and learn how to be independent people.
Other than that, Jake has already had homework to do. Some days he has less than others, but it's been a bit of a reality check for me. I'm not sure I'm properly prepared for doing school all over again - I didn't particularly enjoy the work the first time around and things have changed a lot in 27 years! I've had books to cover and a parent meeting to attend. Jake's had handwriting homework to practise, a simple sentence to read (I am me) and Friday's homework was to begin preparing an oral for 2 weeks time. My baby has to stand up and tell 29 kids 6 things about himself - I'm scared for him. The oral is written and he knows his lines, so now we just need to work on presentation and standing still while saying 6 lines.
One of the things I'm being a pain in the butt about (perhaps it's lessons learnt from my past) is that we get homework done as early in the day as possible. We literally get home, Jake gets changed, I prepare lunch, we eat and then tackle homework. I'm hoping that the trend sticks, but I'm sure he'll need a lot more motivating as he gets older. He's already not keen on doing his homework, so I can only imagine what the future holds!!
Anyway, it's all systems go and I'm starting walking/jogging tomorrow morning with a friend. I'm super, super unfit and have never ever run in my life, so it should be interesting. The lady I'm running with has promised me 2 weeks of walking only, then we'll slowly start to build things up to a jog. She also thinks she can get me fit enough to run a 21km race at the end of the year. Hahahahahaha... I'm all kitted out with gorgeous New Balance gear, so I look the part, I'm just not sure I can act it. Fingers crossed that by the end of the year, I'm a lot fitter than I am right now. It's time to get in shape!
Sending lots of love,Sue X
4 comments:
Aw susie. He sounds exactly the same as lily. The occasional wobbly lip. Its a huge adjustment for them isnt it to go into a more structured environment with far more children than they are used to.
They just go straight into it , its a huge adjustment! I cant believe homework! however small it is its scary. when you mentioned the oral my stomach literally tightened. that was my absolute worst thing about school but Im sure his 6 sentences will go brilliantly. I know how you are feeling though because as a mother your childs fears and worries become your own. Must he remember the oral or is he reading yet?
Im happy he is getting there though. thanks for the update
xx
It is a huge adjustment for them. Thankfully Jake's pre-primary was close to 100 kids, with about 25 in his class. But still, he's little and the changes in routine and structured learning is huge.
We spent more than an hour doing homework yesterday, which I thought was a lot for a little kid, especially right at the beginning of the year. His oral is going OK, but I also have mini panic attacks at the thought of him having to stand up in front of his class and actually do it. I also HATED them at school. He has to memorise his sentences and already knows them, so we're working on presentation - getting him to stand still and not talk like a girl! It's quite funny really. I guess starting them off early on things like this is better, it hopefully means that they'll be more confident...
Anyway, he was better when I left him yesterday and today, so fingers crossed the he's settling.
Hope it's going better for you this week too - I have been thinking about you going through the same thing as us so much. Must be extra tough not having your family around the corner. Like most things, it will get easier with time.
Lots of love XXX
My heart goes out to the Mums like you who care so much about your children. It's very moving.
I think your plan to help Jake do his homework right away is great. So wish I had adopted that practice! Whenever I did that I always felt so much better prepared, relaxed and happier.
Good luck!
Thanks Lee, here's hoping the foundation rules stick for life!!
XXX
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