The late September sun is setting on a wonderful summer with my boys. I am so lucky that I get to spend so much time with them around my working week and watching them grow and their bond strengthen. This isn’t to say it’s not flipping hard work with a toddler and a pre-schooler who both like to push their boundaries and drive me to the brink of despair each day. But still, they are kind of awesome.
This year many of my friend’s children have gone off to school. Those tiny babies we welcome into the world, eagerly anticipating news of each safe arrival. We’ve watched them grow into the confident and clever little things they are now, excitedly getting themselves dressed into their neatly pressed uniforms, enthusiastically waiting for this new adventure to begin. Of course we have seen the older children within our friend groups grow and begin school. But I guess it’s never really been on my radar until now. Now that it’s almost our turn to get through it!
Although we have a full year until our first born begins this adventure, I am already feeling the pull of the heartstrings. Before we know it, it will be our turn. We will be the parents frantically waiting for our number to be called in the carnage that is Clarks in late August and sowing in tear-soaked name labels through bleary eyes (Do people even use name labels still!?) I have so much to learn.
It feels like we are only just getting to grips with this parenting thing. We’re far from experts, but do we have a vague knowledge of what we are doing. And the whole thing is going to be tipped upside down once school begins. It won’t just be Henry who is learning new things every day. I don’t think I am ready for that school gate chat, the school-mum friendships, the new routine. And I know I’m not ready for Henry to grow up with new influences outside of our control. My sweet little baby will become more of his own person each day. It’s such a strange feeling to know we have to let him go, let him experience things without us, give him the independence to make his own decisions, his own mistakes.
But we still have a year to go. A year left of this cherished time which I know we will never get back. So here’s to the Preschool adventures in the year ahead and all the fun we can have together before my best friend leaves me behind.
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preschool learning
November 2, 2021amazning article for preschool
John Jarvis
July 25, 2017Loved reading this. You have a gift with words xx