Anyones children starting secondary school - sudden growing up

Son is really looking forward to starting and not at all nervous - me, well, I'm a wreck!!!

All the "first's" we've gone through this week  learning to tie a tie (never had to wear one at primary school), buying horrendous amounts of school stationary (all provided for at primary), the fiddling around of trying to get the top button done up on a shirt (why does the buttonhole at the top go in a different direction to the others??!)

The biggest thing for me to mentally "let go" is going to and from school by himself by bus. We did a couple of trial runs yesterday - firstly with me and him on the bus, the second time him on the bus by himself, and me following in the car!. I know he will be fine, but it seems such a big step!

I remember my first day at senior school. I had to get 2 buses to get there, and never had any problems (apart from an old chap who used to sit at the back of the bus grinning at us whilst playing with himself) .

Anyone else going through this? - I know it sounds like I am an overprotective wuss of a mum, I'm not really, but just finding it more of a mental adjustment than I thought I would!!!!!

Oh Bobbly bless you for following the bus on his trial run that is so sweet!  When is his first day? Are his school having new starters and year 11 only on the first day?

I remember this time last year with eldest starting. She looked swamped in her new uniform and blazer with the biggest most sensible school bag ever! That was soon ditched for a more trendy handbag.

She couldn;t get the school bus at first as she lived with both us and her mother every other week. Once she lived with us full time, I persuaded MrKB to let her take the school bus and boy was he a nervous wreck on that first day. He drove her to the bus stop and waited in the car until the coach left then she had to text him to say when she was at school. Even now, although she walks to & frmo the bus stop, she has to text when on the bus and when at school.

His first "proper" day is Monday, but year 7 are going on a 2 day "bonding" trip tomorrow and Friday (staying overnight Thursday and cost us £64 for the trip!)

Son tried on full uniform the other day and also looked swamped in it - he was dead chuffed though and told my SIL that he looked like a businessman in it! - I expect the novelty will wear off within a week or so!

He has to take public transport to and from school, but luckily the bus stops about 10 yards from our house. He also has a couple of good friends from primary school who live nearby who will also be getting the bus (although their mums are as jittery as me about it!) H is not at all worried, and did the "I was walking to and from school by myself when I was 9" line when I was having a mini meltdown!

My son starts secondary school on Friday - just years 7 and 11 for the first day and then the rest start of the school starts on Monday. My situation is a little difference in that I'm also starting the same school as a cover teacher, he still wants to catch the school bus even though I could take him and pick him up so I'm letting him as I think it's important for him to have his independance.   The other day I let him to to the local shops on his own and he came back very happy, it was the first thing he told his dad when he came home from work!

when I bought him his new school uniform it came in a suit bag, his blazer has been in it ever since and he thinks he's now really grown up!  I will be a wreck on Friday though and will probably follow the school bus all the way to school

essexmum:

My son starts secondary school on Friday - just years 7 and 11 for the first day and then the rest start of the school starts on Monday. My situation is a little difference in that I'm also starting the same school as a cover teacher, he still wants to catch the school bus even though I could take him and pick him up so I'm letting him as I think it's important for him to have his independance.   The other day I let him to to the local shops on his own and he came back very happy, it was the first thing he told his dad when he came home from work!

when I bought him his new school uniform it came in a suit bag, his blazer has been in it ever since and he thinks he's now really grown up!  I will be a wreck on Friday though and will probably follow the school bus all the way to school

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I let my son go to the local shops by himself the other week as well - together with a long list of instructions - don't talk to any strangers, keep your money in your pocket, keep your mobile out of sight, check your change, walk on the inside of the pavement, not near the road, don't dawdle, check for traffic before crossing the road - poor child, he probably promptly forgot everything I said as soon as he walked out of the door - but got back in once piece!!!!