 |
| image credit |
To say I am petrified about the whole thing is an understatement.
Our little miss has always been a timid soul and while I don't want to label her there is no denying that she is shyer than most kids.
This week little miss and I had a play date at the park with a mothers group friend, who will attend the same school next year. My little miss was hesitant to join in and play with the kids that she didn't know, preferring to stay by my side, attached to my leg.
I could feel the anxiety race through me. If she was like this when I was around, how was she going to be at school? I couldn't sleep while my brain worried about it.
I was an anxious, shy child. I remember too well how I didn't want to go to school. How mean some of the people were that were supposedly my friends and how I didn't have the confidence to say "GET F***ED". It was awful. I don't want that for our little miss.
Instead of letting my anxiety explode and become our little miss' anxiety, I am taking action to make the transition to school as smooth as I can for her. I am going to do everything to make sure our little miss is ready for "big school". Making sure she is as confident and ready to go as every other kid that will walk through those gates on the first day.
Currently my plan looks like this....
- Play dates with other little people who will be attending the same school to meet more people and gain confidence socially.
- Walking through the school to become accustomed to the size and environment.
- Packing a lunch box for the day to get used to having to manage her own food.
Closer to the end of the year we will also practice drop-offs and pick-ups and talk to her teacher to get to know him/her too.
I also have a kit of documentation and books I am hoping will give me some insight.....
- Raising Girls by Steve Biddulph
- Your child's first year at school: Getting off to a good start
- Cool Little Kids, Anxiety Prevention Program Parent's Manual from Macquarie University
- Kids Matter Transition to school: Parent Initiative
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Setting the scene
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Getting Ready
- Parent and Carer Booklet 1 - Settling In
All these are good tips. Thanks for sharing. My girl will be starting big school in 2 years and although she's not a very shy child, I still want to make sure she feels comfortable and safe in that school. Will bookmark this page for future reference :)
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
Thank you so much! Blogging really helps me to release my anxiety!
DeleteI too was a shy, awkward child and I hate to think of my girls feeling like that. School is such a tough time, usually tougher for the parents. I find I need to step back and let things run their course with friends, disagreements, tears etc. It happens and usually things work out. Miss 7 is a confident kid so that's great and Miss 5 starts next year and I think she will be fine, but it's hard (for me!)
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about her starting school a lot lately - obviously and I think that I am WAY more anxious than her! So trying very hard to not let her know that I am anxious about it.
DeleteSam, it sounds like you already have it all well under control. The only thing I'll say is that six or seven months is a huge amount of time at that age so Little Miss still has plenty of time to develop a bit more confidence.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I am a serial planner!
DeleteAs a teacher I understand the anxiety that both of you are feeling. It is scary. I have written a few posts on school - ones that might interest you .... first day at school and also one called Health at School and also one about what to teach your child to say to bullies. They might help. Under Education on my blog. I have also done a post with a list of what your child should be able to do before they attend school to make the transition easier. Might help. Gives you a teachers view at the very least.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I will say is that a large number of us teach because we actually enjoy seeing children learn and we like kids.
Thank you for those words. It helps a lot. I wish you were going to be her teacher :)
DeleteGosh Sam! You are super prepared. Your little Miss is in very good hands. I am reading Raising Girls as well, but will have to check out the other books. My eldest (almost three) is incredibly shy, so I know where you are coming from. Please keep us up to date with your progress. I'm really interested to know how it all goes.
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I will continue to blog about our journey...mainly for my sanity.
DeleteThe main advice I used to give worried parents bringing their kids to school for the first time (in my previous life as a teacher) was to not hang around. Children can sense that mum or dad are anxious too, and that anxiety can in turn heighten their own anxiety. Although you may be tempted to hang around as long as possible, it's best to just give them a big kiss and hug, tell them to have a wonderful time and remind them that you'll be back to pick them up later. I always found that 99% of crying children only cry while mum and dad are there - it's amazing how fast the tears dry up after they've gone! It sounds like you're preparing really well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this advice. I did this with her at daycare and it worked well.
DeleteI have no tips but it sounds like you certainly have a great plan in place - good luck !
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend !
Me
Thanks. You too. xo
DeleteBrilliant tips, Sam. And I think it really helps that you're empathetic to what your little girl's going through.
ReplyDeleteWe have the Steve Biddulph book for Raising Boys. I have a feeling it's going to be a life saver. Good luck with it all x
I just bought the boys one too, we have a 6 month old little man now. BTW. I love reading your blog about your boys. I am a twin too :)
DeleteYou're far more prepared than I was when my first Miss started school - and while she's not essentially shy, she is a bit socially awkward and lacks confidence. The anxiety will die down, and you'll be all kinds of relieved and happy when you see her chatting with kids and making friends.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thank you so much. Ihave started putting some of the things into practice and already see the results :)
DeleteMy girl isn't shy so she was very excited about school this year but then again she is 'too' nice and that was my worry. However, she seems to have slotted in fine, they just need assurance, love and even now I worry because I don't know what she's doing every minute of the day, but teachers are great for the young ones. I'd try and not let her see or hear you be anxious or she'll pick up on it x
ReplyDeleteHey Em, I try super hard not to talk about my anxieties when she is around or let on about how I feel about it. Whenever we talk about school I am very positive about it.
Delete