Today was Lily's first day at school. Its called reception here and is when the child is 4 going on 5. Lily is starting late as she is one of the youngest so will only be in reception 6 months before moving on to year 1.
She has been very excited to go to big school and we have been gathering things like lunchboxes ,school clothes and shoes. Uniform is not mandatory at her school and i did not want to be half hearted with it so i decided to let her wear her own clothes.
Here she is all ready to go. Its of course the rainiest day ever so we are coated , booted and umbrellaed. we walk to school as its at the end of our road
this is her little lunchbox that her nana Fi bought her with the little teddy and muzzy attached to it
Her daddy drew her a picture to pop in her lunchbox. it says first day at school..full of wonder. that set me off as you can imagine!she went into the classroom ok , but it is overwhelming, as its a new environment with a lot more people than she is used to.In her playschool there were 8 to 12 kids and now 25. My daughter is a quiet little thing and as her mother I cant help but worry she will be ok. she put her name leaf on the little registration board and I settled her at the table with the farm animals. We said goodbye. I said I loved her and to have a lovely day and just made it out of the classroom before the flood gates opened.
I know she needs to go to school and have structure in her day and learn to read and write and socialise , but I feel so emotional about her going off for such long days at only 4. she only finishes at 3:15 each day.
In SA , we only start big school in that way at 6 going on 7 and then I see its only till 1pm. Its been a huge adjustment for me and I wish I was in cape Town and then she would only be starting pre school today. But its not to be as we are here and her little school is very nice. Her teacher , Miss Pike, is a lovely, young softly spoken teacher from Australia and I have a good feeling about her .
For 4 and a bit years I have cared and looked after Lily. given her her lunch and been very fully involved in all aspects of her day. Today is a very strange day for me wondering if she likes her lunch. Is she eating it. does she need a wee.
I guess as much as she has relied on me I have relied on her. Being far from my family and friends , Lily and I have come up with a little life routine, and all my activities involve her. Her first step to independence is complete , and I must adjust to a new life as much as she must.
I will remember this first stage of her life with such happiness and I hope her school experience is wonderful. I will be there for her every step of the way as she will always be my baby..
7 comments:
A beautifully written blog darling. You have said it all and soon you will adjust. You have never been one for change and it takes time for you to get there, but get there you will and when she can read her first few words you will be rejoicing as there is now so much to look forward to as she soaks up all the information and before you know it she will know more than you ;))) Lots and lots of love and hugs you Humble 3 xxx
This new adventure for Lily will work out just fine. Children are far more adaptable than adults and most seem to have that "okay, so this is how it is and I'll make the best of it" attitude.
But it's really rough on the parents. Be strong!
Louise
oh, deary, these blogs have got me sniffling and snuffling all over the place. First Jake, now dear Lily. I hope that it all went smoothly! Gosh, it is a long day for a little girl! And the note from Mr Humble... well, just to loving and beautiful for words! The bright side is there is nothing quite like the hello hug after school when they haven't seen you all day!! It's hard to let go, but let go, we must...
Such a big and special day for both of you.
Thank you for writing such a heartfelt post about what it's like to be the Mom sending your little one off to school. Especially challenging with the differences between UK and SA. But it somehow seems fitting for such an international family, that Lily's teacher is from Australia!
Wishing you all, all the best!
;o)
- Lee
I feel for you. You are feeling what all loving mothers feel. Do let us know how things went.
Tell us what you are feeling. I have been fretting for you and Lily for ages. My heart is sore for you. Caroline took Amy off to see a prospective play school. After hours! And Amy reported to me: 'But Granny, there weren't any children there!
She was surprised and I don't blame her.
I would be quite happy to keep her with us for another year. for
I believe we could do a really good job with her!
School goes on forever.
Time with those who care for you and who love you does not!
I am so behind with my blog-reading.
These photos are lovely and I imagine from your next post that Lily made it through the first days happily. I can only imagine how tough it was to let her go after having been able to look after her until now!
XXX
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