Half way through the summer hols and my sanity is still intact.
This is Kieran’s first “summer holiday off” as he has been at preschool for the past year and starts “big school” in September. I was initially very worried at how I would cope with keeping him entertained when clearly I do not have the saint-like enthusiasm the preschool teachers have, and mindful that I have more work now that I did before end of term AND that I am getting increasingly huge (pregnancy, not comfort eating!), I expected to be tearing my hair out by now. However…. I am loving it! There is little locally to entertain Kieran and the weather has been either so hot even he wants to stay indoors near the fan or so wet and windy we daren’t venture out for fear of being caught in a monsoon! Despite this, we have absolutely revelled in each other’s company – be it baking, doing crafts, jigsaw or games galore, visiting family, walking to the train station to train spot, bus trips out, play dates and lots of local walks collecting leaves, looking at bugs etc or just doing our own thing and enjoying our own time, it has worked wonderfully.
So what am I going to in September when he is gone all day?? He can’t wait (little traitor!) but I am increasingly aware that I am going to miss him terribly. The long-suffering hubby has promised to paint the nursery for baby2 the last weekend in August so that when I am faced with a very empty house all day long I can throw myself into getting everything ready for baby and working (with the radio on loud…… very loud!) to occupy myself. Is this empty nest syndrome? Ok it’s not empty for long – just between 8.50am and 3.45pm Monday – Friday but still I am not used to, and I know I should be grateful of the break to myself as baby2 is due in early December but I am really struggling with the idea of my firstborn baby (and he is still my baby says a very precious Mummy!) being away all day and I suspect more so not needing me. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to keep him at home either, I know he needs more and am sure he will thrive at school, but it’s very harrowing.
So come on Mums and Dads – is this pregnancy hormones, am I being precious or is this a common thing, mourning the end of an era. If anyone has any wise words or coping strategies I’m all ears!
No, its not you. I was crying buying Joe's uniform, let alone when September actually came. Am fairly sure I will be worse with little miss because I am NOT having any more and she will be 4yrs and 5 days old.But I had no worries on their behalf, just mine. Soppy old mummy 🙂
I was devastated when my son started his first day at school. He was my second and I was pregnant with him when we moved to Brighton. We done tons of stuff together, the beach, baby groups, made so many friends, discovered so many places and things to do etc. I made a point of telling his teacher that she was gaining an amazing child in her class! Don't be sad! Your a fab mummy!
Heehee…as if I was reading about myself. My daughter starts P1 next Wednesday (Scotland), and I am pretty huge–due baby 2 in September. I wish I had your time alone, though of course I will miss my small girl terribly too-I just blogged a very hormonal (or not???) post about it the other day. I run a childcare business from home so no rest for the wicked 😉 But I will still be missing my girl so, so much… 🙁
No, it's not just pregnancy hormones! Although they are probably making it feel even more intense! I felt very sad before my only son started school sept '09. The end of an era and all that. No more spontaneous trips to the park. No more craft sessions. Off he'll go in his big boy uniform.But once you get used to it and try and focus on the positives, you realise that there is so much to do in the new rountine, you barely get time to reflect! Plus you can still do the 'going to the park to feed ducks' stuff after school and in the hols. They change so much in that first year at school – and it's mostly all good!So my wise words to you are to enjoy every moment you have with them before Sept then you will have lots of happy memories of this stage and hopefully few regrets.Good luck ;-)Karenx
This is very common. My little girl starts soon and I am excited for her. I actually blogged about it here: http://thefivefsblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-lasts-and-last-firsts.htmlAs she is my youngest (I have two, the eldest started last year!), I am looking forward to it but I kind of know that i may have a wobble but at 45, I am way too old to have more kids. Still, a lot of the mums with only ones got pregnant during the school year – 3 have been born and one is expecting twins at Christmas. And another mum with a sibling just starting preschool is also expecting. One further mum told me she had a huge wobble but her husband vetoed another baby! The fact another one is already on the way means you will at least have this to focus on during that term where he is out all day. Enjoy the peace, as first term ends up manic with assemblies, nativities, Christmas party etc. And then you'll have a whole new baby to juggle as well! I found you via Blow Your Own Blog Horn btw. Pleased to meet you. 🙂
I totally understand – for the very first time since I had my eldest over six years ago, I will have some child-free time in September when youngest goes to playgroup for the mornings. I am dreading it and looking forward to it in equal measure, but am sure I will weep buckets!! No doubt she will cope far better than me.