Back to School

[ali]

Well mums and dads, the kids are back at school, for some of you there will have been a few tears or lumps in throats as your babies start big school for the first time. For me, my daughter has started year 12 and this morning I took my last 'first day of school photo' ... I still remember taking her for her very first day of school and her taking it in her stride and waving me off with a "you can go now mum".

My son also starts his last year of primary school here (year 7), so quite a big year for my two.

How were your First day back at school?

[jackboots]

Hmmm , well my darling was bouncing around like TIGGER and happy as anything waved me off after telling me i packed the wrong water bottle now feeling a bit redundant !

[portlaunay]

My 5yr olds first day today. She was excited to have her new uniform on and her hair in plaits but less happy that her socks weren't pink. She was a little anxious but spotted a friend as soon as we got there and within 5 minutes had forgotten us.
My 8yr had a drama with shoes but again, recognised some friends and was gone.

I can't believe they're both in school. Such fabulous kids and as they grow they lose that naivety and stop saying those adorable and sometimes embarrassing things. They're still overflowing with personality, unafraid and delightful.

Roll on 3pm when I get to hear their stories.

[Pingpongpom2]

I remember my eldest (now 25) finishing Year 12 in Aus..he came home and i can remember it feeling quite surreal, that his school life was done!..we had a 16 year gap between him and his brother (there is also 22 year old twins in the middle), so now we are in the Primary School playground again..just a lil bit older and wiser, maybe!?..my sons little girl starts Primary this year, and that just blows me away!!..

[ali]

Wow terri, your grandchild starting school! I remember my daughters first day, I remember the teacher coming round to the house before she started to meet her and yesterday it hit me ... Wow .. last year.

[Give me a break!]

Im pleased to say that my boy has gone back happy ( still crossing fingers because we did have some major problems last year with bullying.) Ive had some heart wrenching moments over the last year so I am trying to stay optimistic. The bullying doesnt involve much physical stuff more verbal and unfortuanatly my son can get quite emotional, hes a big lad and everyone expects things to wash over him, but he finds that difficult. He was off the scale on his Naplan results and his Wamse results were again higher than the chart could measure, but socially he struggles. He has met a couple of close friends but they have moved on with their parents to other parts of Perth, so I think sometimes he just gives up. We have been very lucky with our move to Australia but this is the one thing I have no control over, he has to do this for himself. Ive spoken to the school but they have not been any real help. They promised PEAC classes but then decided that as he hadnt arrived in Australia in time for the test, he couldnt have them, even though it was obvious from his test results he needs it. I have now given up and put his name down for a private school near where we are moving, so I am hoping he may do better there, they have better results and do concentrate more on accademic rather than sport which my son just isnt into. Anyway like I said onwards and upwards and positive thinking. I really hope it stays that way.

[jackboots]

Does he have any hobbies outside of school Catherine , at least he would have independant pals away from school :)

My daughter started wednesday and we had a letter today to say they are restructuring all the classes and have to be moved around , can't be helped better now than in a few months but they just mat friends and wham ..... boy i would so hate to be in school again .. not for love nor money

[Give me a break!]

He just started Martial Arts again, in Mandurah. Im hoping this will help, he love Tae Kwon Do in the UK but they do a different sort here and he had reached blue belt and wasnt keen on going back to the beginning, he did Try Kupso Martial Arts but found it a bit babyish there were lots of little ones all running around (having fun!) but he wanted to work So this is Kobudo and its martial arts with weapons, and you have to be at least 10 to do it. The guy who runs it is A Doctor who emigrated from the UK decades ago, but says its good for children with social skills and confidence, he mentions children with ADHD and ADH, Austism etc. I dont think my son any of those conditions and I dont think being intelligent should be a curse, but I remember when I was at school no one liked the know it alls. You are sooo right I wouldnt want to be in school again, but I also dont want to be one of those Mums of Sons that mollie coddle them too much, but it does break my heart when he is sad and saying he has no friends

[TheRocks]

My baby started school yesterday, he was delighted with himself even though he is one of the youngest cause he is a May baby so won't even be 5 until then. He seemed happy enough going back in today. It is very strange being at home with just the 22month old and myself.

[portlaunay]

He just started Martial Arts again, in Mandurah. Im hoping this will help, he love Tae Kwon Do in the UK but they do a different sort here and he had reached blue belt and wasnt keen on going back to the beginning, he did Try Kupso Martial Arts but found it a bit babyish there were lots of little ones all running around (having fun!) but he wanted to work So this is Kobudo and its martial arts with weapons, and you have to be at least 10 to do it. The guy who runs it is A Doctor who emigrated from the UK decades ago, but says its good for children with social skills and confidence, he mentions children with ADHD and ADH, Austism etc. I dont think my son any of those conditions and I dont think being intelligent should be a curse, but I remember when I was at school no one liked the know it alls. You are sooo right I wouldnt want to be in school again, but I also dont want to be one of those Mums of Sons that mollie coddle them too much, but it does break my heart when he is sad and saying he has no friends

You sound like fabulous parents, I think you're right about him needing to do this for himself but it will help enormously that he has such a supportive family. Good luck to you all, hope he continues to be happy.