End of an era...

[Pootle]

So, my youngest has her last day at nursery today before she goes to 'big school' in September and I'm dreading it!

She's fine about it but I've been going there virtually everyday for over 6 years and it feels really strange that this part of their childhood is over already! I blubbed when she got thrown out of playgroup for being too old so what state am I going to be in when I collect her tonight?

[di]

I found the best bet was no eye contact with other parents!!When one starts....!I know how you feel tho,Ash has one more term & already feeling weird about it~although the extra time during the day I get will be nice there's something sad about you're babe going to big school~I think as each stage passes you realise just how quick it all goes!(I've still got all of Ash's nappies in the loft even tho I don't think we're having anymore~just can't bear the thought of getting rid of them!)
Enjoy you're girls last day& hope all goes well when she starts school!(she'll always be your baby!!)

[Tracey]

I know how you feel. My youngest leaves Primary School this year and had his 'Leavers Show' on Tuesday. Totally unexpectedly I burst into tears when they sang a song about their journey from 5 years of their school life and then started waving good bye. I've been going to that school for 10 years, sports days, plays, concerts, fayres, parents meetings, etc. It definately is the end of an era.

Tracey

[Headfry]

I know it must affect the children, but it also affects the parents. This has been a huge part of their lives, of course many will be very sad indeed. Many, many emotions to deal with.
My love to all the Mums, Dads, and all those who are having to say good bye to a way of life.
Much love to you all
Headfry

[jackie j]

Last year was the end of my daughters time at primary school, she started when she was three in the nursery and moved up. My eldest son will be thirty next year so most of my life I have done the school run which I used to moan about especially when we walked in the rain and my youngest son used to drag his feet, the more we told him to hurry up the slower he walked.
From last September my daughter has gone with a friend no longer needing me and you know what I really miss it !!! If I dont go out I dont see anyone, I miss the chats in the playground and watching the little ones grow up and start school.
Just as well I fetch my grandson once a week although its a differant school.

[SlugLobber]

Awwwww, this thread brings back lots of memories. I remember my leaving show from primary school and I don't think it affected us like it did the parents - we were too excited! Lots of the kiddies see each other again at whatever school they go to, which I think helps.

I would agree, no eye contact with the other parents! Pack tissues, just in case, though and maybe take some cards with your contact details for those parents you want to keep in touch with!

[Two_Sheds]

I can't go to final assembly, when all the older children are leaving the school. They're okay, but I burst into tears!
It's thinking how much they've grown and developed since they started, and feeling proud of them (even the little b*ggers).

[Pootle]

Well I made it without a blubfest - mostly by not hanging around and saying goodbye to all the staff (I am officially a coward). Youngest is completely unfazed - except that her 'best boy friend' is going to a different school! No drama, no nothing!

But...I read all your replies earlier and had a blub then - so maybe I'm not so brave after all

[SarzWix]

I was absolutely gutted today to find out that there was a Leavers Assembly on Thurs for my son's year, which parents were invited to, and he didn't tell me One of the other Mums asked me how come I'd not gone to it. I nearly cried then. Mind you, I'd almost certainly have wept throughout - my Ma worked at the school for 16 years, and I can't get through anything without a tear in my eye that she isn't there, without the emotion about Mike leaving added to it!
At least my youngest is still there for a few years yet.

[squashysu]

ok i admit it i sobbed today at nursery! the little girl i cared for has cerebal palsy and is adorable, well when he had finished and it was time for her to go, she just really started crying at having to leave me and that was it - i was in floods , then her mum and mums friend was in floods and then the other parents!!!!! i started them all off!!!

roll on the next 6 weeks, i need the break and must get ready to stock up on more tissues !

[janeyo]

I was emotional twice - yesterday and today as my son attended 2 pre-schools, one in our new village for 2 days and one in our old village for 2 days.

I can only imagine what a blubbering wreck I will be on the forst day of term at Big School!

I tried his uniform on him the other day and was trying not to cry he looked so grown up! The baby starts with the childminder on the first day of term too - so double whammy for me! I think I will go home crawl into bed and bawl all morning....... or Get Into The Garden!

janeyo

[Pootle]

I'm sure I'll be emotional on the first day back - but as this'll be no.3 in school they're more likely to be tears of joy!

In case I sound like a mean parent I had better explain why! Youngest Daughter will be 5 on the day that school goes back, so as well as being the third child she will also be the oldest in her school year and she was ready to go to big school LAST September - its been a very long year for her (and me) and she can't wait to go and get stuck in...I'm sure that by the time term starts I'll be feeling different but at the moment I can't wait

[bluemoon]

If you think that's tough, wait till you watch them graduate! Actually I well remember how you all feel, and I'm about to go through it again when my grandson starts nursery and makes those first steps towards independence. They will always be your babies though. I know someone who thinks that if you do the parenting thing right then your kids reach a point where they no longer need you. Personally I think that if you do it right they will always need you because you've allowed them to grow up in a happy, loving environment that they choose to continue being a part of. And don't despair, if they're only just old enough to be starting big school there's years of worry, erm I mean joy, still ahead of you.....years and years and years and........

[lynda66]

lol, i blubbed on my sons first day at nursery, blubbed on his last day, 3 of us had our 'babies' going to 'big school' on the same day, we were very brave when our little ones ran excitedly into school, then all blubbed all the way back to mine and for most of the morning till we had to collect them (they loved every minute lol) we blubbed on their last day, then when they went to high school there was 5 of us went for coffee ..... and really struggled not to look at each other cos when one started we all did ..... was ok when he left funnily enough, and starting and leaving college has been no big deal ........ but when he leaves home to go to uni, i just know it's gonna kill me for weeks lol ....... guess it's a good job he's only going to uni in manchester which is 15 mins down the road ....so he's promised he'll be home loads to do his washing and for me to feed him ...... but i'm sure gonna miss him not being here every day

[bluemoon]

Sadly, Lynda. They tend to come home permanently afterwards too.