Happy Sunday Mums, I am going to write a weekly education column, that will hopefully resonate and help us all feel less alone as we navigate the school challenges without children. If anyone needs to know anything specific like what the heck is BTEC or how do I choose subjects or schools, please let me know and I will of course do my best to include it, education is no longer as simple as it used to be. So as this is my first piece, it seemed only fitting to focus on FIRST as a theme.
As we navigate through our first month back to school, “firsts” really are important at this moment! For some, it’s the thrill of the first day of school, for others, the bittersweet last first day as their children step into their final school year. And let’s not forget the poignant first day of independence for our kids heading off to university – leaving their rooms unusually quiet and our hearts a tad heavy. I am now part of that “empty nest” a day I never thought would come.
But amidst the tears, let’s raise a glass (or a comforting cup of tea!) to celebrate. We’ve been gearing up for these milestones since their very first day at school. It’s been a team effort, and yes, they’ve made it! Hats off to all of us – parenting through A-Levels definitely demands an extra-large serving of patience, not to mention that interminably long summer that none of us actually dared breathe until results day in August.
First are also kicked off with first selections for sports teams, house captains, and other leadership roles. And of course, there’s the buzz about club memberships, classroom buddies, and whether they’ve landed their favourite teacher – fingers crossed that the feelings are mutual!
Sundays always used to be my panic days, yet now can you believe it I am actually missing the panic over the inevitable lunch box dilemma? Wondering if anyone would mind (or more importantly notice) if I sneak a sausage roll into it? Maybe balance it out with an apple? Then there was always a sudden panic about the forgotten bake sale, and not forgetting, the spellings we didn’t go over. Sometimes, just keeping up feels like a feat and as Mums the pressure to juggle it all and often a full-time job can be overwhelming, please do not get me started on the almost weekly requirements of costumes!
No matter the school or year, the ‘firsts’ can be daunting. It’s like unwrapping a gift from your mother-in-law: open it with a spoonful of positivity and gratitude remembering, your children are watching but if you’re thinking of ‘returning’ that not-so-perfect gift, they don’t need to know! Children tell their teacher everything and I mean EVERYTHING!
Lately, I’ve heard from many Mums anxious about how their children will adjust to the new school year, especially those facing extra educational challenges. My advice? Stay calm and be present. These first few weeks are less about academic rigour and more about nurturing resilience. Let them struggle a bit, and find their footing, just like when they were learning to walk they may have fallen but they always got up and following those first faltering steps ran and then went on to learn how to ride a bike. It is likely looking back you may have supported them but you never “taught” them to walk or run they learned that all on their own and believe me when I say that they have got this, even if you feel you haven’t. Always give your child time to rise to the occasion and surprise you. After all, if resilience is the only thing they master at this time, then you have done an amazing job, one that will be central to their success as they grow up.
So, let’s celebrate these ‘firsts,’ each one a step towards their eventual confident, resilient leap out of the nest – knowing they can always come back to their strong roots.
Enjoy your Sunday and yes learning the spelling words does matter but the actual test is just background noise in the bigger picture. I would rather a child who says Mum I got 2 out 10 in my spelling this week but it’s OK I will do better next week than one who was in tears and frustrated with no plan for improvement for next week. The immediate score in the wider scheme is less important than the attitude. Here’s to a fantastic start and many small victories ahead!