On My Son’s First Day of School

For many parents up and down the country this week is a big week. It’s the week where thousands of 4 and 5 year olds start school. My son being no exception. Being a Mum is a joy and a privilege. It also seems to go past in the blink of an eye. I can’t believe my son is starting school already. I have such mixed feelings.

I’ve written already about how I think children start school too early in this country and how I feel like my children seem to be growing too fast. I wrote last year I was glad that my son was  one of the older children and I got an extra year before he started school.

These last few days I have felt quite emotional about it all. It’s like we have been in this little bubble for these past 4.5 years, just me and my children going on little adventures and enjoying one another’s company. I am privileged to have spent this time with my son, with both of my children, and I will never forget it.

But today, today is not about me. It’s about my son. I read a great post on Plutonium Sox over the weekend – why I won’t be crying at the school gates – and it really is a lovely post. Whatever I may be feeling tomorrow, my son will not know it. As I walk away I may have a wobble, but all he will see from me is encouragement and smiles.

My job as a Mum is to prepare my children for the next chapter in their lives. Slowly by slowly letting them go and this is the first step in that. Now is my time to let my son go and let him venture out, a little at least into the world on his own, to have his own adventures. To learn, to grow and to make new friends. He’s so excited and that’s lovely to see.

As I was putting him to bed last night, I gave him a great big hug and said to him ‘you’ll be brilliant tomorrow you know,’ to which he replied ‘I know’. I think perhaps that says it all.

Good luck on your new adventure little man, may you blossom and fly and know your Daddy and I are so proud of you.