Last year, my oldest son started school. It didn’t go well. In fact, I’d slate it as one of the more stressful experiences of my life. And, at the time, he wasn’t chuffed to bits either.
A few days before term started, the school PTA rep organised a tea at her house for all the new children. Mine was the only one who clung on to my legs and refused to play with his new classmates, despite the lure of a playroom full of Lego. The day before school, the PTA organised another get-together, this time a picnic in a local park. And the same leg-clinging routine happened. On the day itself all the new children were invited in for half a day, and allowed to wear fancy dress. Scores of children dressed as Buzz Lightyear and shiny pink fairies floated around, while my little one refused to dress up and was carted off sobbing. The school term finally started for real, and the first thing my son did that morning was start to cry. He wailed all the way to school, and I had to run out of the classroom to prevent him following me. Needless to say, I was in floods too. The first three weeks of term were miserable. The leg-clinging and crying continued every morning, though his teacher assured me that he was happy once I’d gone. Then, as if by magic, everything was smiles and happiness and my son actually wanted to go to school. One night he even asked me how many hours there were till it was schooltime again. A year on, he’s incredibly happy, has lots of friends, and only this morning got back from a sleepover with one of his classmates. 24 hours away from a boy who a year ago couldn’t even look at his schoolbag without sobbing.
So if you’re reading this and having a tough time settling in a child, take heart. If my experience is anything to go by, you get there in the end. I was lucky in having a fabulous teacher and teaching assistant, and really supportive mothers. I tried not to discuss school too much at home, and didn’t get into a debate about why it was important that he went. After all, unless you decide to home-school, it’s not exactly a negotiable part of life. Could I have handled things better? Inevitably. But as I’ve three more children who will start school too, at least I’ll get some more practice. Any ideas most welcome.

















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