Today is my son's first day at primary school so it certainly deserves a post on my blog!
He was a bit nervous this morning when I changed him into his new school uniform. He said that he wasn't big enough yet (to attend "big boy" school) and that he'd only wear it for a short while and then have it taken off!
I told him that it's ok to be nervous. I told him that I was nervous too when I started school. I gave him a hug and carried him for a little while to assure him. Then I distracted him by asking him to draw while I went to get changed myself. He didnt cry or get clingy.
We were ready to leave the house by 7am. That's a record! In order to achieve that and not be overly stressed, I woke at 5.30 (to make soft boiled eggs...and to wake my helper up-sigh) while he woke just before 6am.
The exit off the highway leading to his school was incredibly jammed. Luckily my husband had taken the day off to drive us there. I think I'll have to leave the house around 6.50am tomorrow!
At the assembly hall, he was able to sit in the line with his class. But he was clearly nervous, turning to look at me to make sure I was still around. I'm very glad he was able to sit with the rest while the principal made a very short announcement.
Parents were allowed to walk the kids to the class on the first day. He held my hands very tightly. The other 6 new kids in his class walked by themselves.
At his class, I showed him where to place his backpack and water bottle. Then ushered him quickly into his class to join the rest who were already seated on the floor. He was alright. He didnt cry. He found a place to sit in front of the group.
We stayed around the school compound for a while after that. There was a long queue at the bookshop so by the time I finished, it was quite near their snack time.
I didnt want my son to see me, so I kept my distance when they came out to the canteen. My husband went to take a closer look at him and realised that he didnt insert the straw into the UHT milk packet and no one came to help him.
I will have to communicate with the teachers to explain his fine motor difficulties and ask for their help. I will also have to see what the tailor can do to alter his shorts which are a bit loose for him (the smaller size was too small for him).
All in all, he seemed ok. He seemed happy walking with his class down to the canteen. He was happy during the short play time (after snack, and before the end of break time).
A friend seemed to be explaining to him something (perhaps where to place his water bottle during play time) and I was happy to see that. Maybe they had assigned the more experienced kids (most kids continued on from Reception into Year 1) to help the new kids.
We left shortly after the kids assembled to head back to class after break. Actually, we were asked to leave a few times this morning but we stuck around! There were just a handful of parents whose kids were also new and in Year 1, who stayed back. In a way it was nice to know that there are a few other mums who were also worried about their sons.
I'll be driving there shortly after lunch to pick him up. I'll probably leave very early to avoid a possible traffic jam (I'll be driving myself as my husband's sick). I hope to be able to speak to the teacher to find out how he was, her concerns, and to ask for help with inserting straw into his packet drinks.
I'm quite tired and my body aches. Hadn't slept well the past two nights having had strange dreams and nightmares. It felt like I was the one attending a new school! I must have been nervous myself but tried very hard not to show it, to avoid my son picking up on my body language. I was very worried about not waking up on time so I had been using 2 alarms (a conventional alarm clock and my handphone!) the past few days to train myself to rise early.
I'm very happy that his first day went well. It's a big achievement for him, a major milestone, the beginning of a new chapter.
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