Tilly starts SCHOOL!!

Wow - what a week!!!

My darling baby-girl started Prep... and we survived it...

Such a scary and momentous event as a mother... I have been feeling rather unsettled about it for months on end - going through lots of emotional circles just thinking about it.. Especially as my girl is one of the youngest ones to start the school year (she doesn't turn 5 until near the end of May!) - and I'm well aware that she wouldn't be starting at all if we still lived in Melbourne (each state seems to have different cut-off dates.. but in Qld the cut-off date is the end of June, so although Tilly is quite young, it is perfectly normal in Queensland).

Here are some pics of her first day:

Tilly about to head out the front door - to school for the first time!

Where is she!?? - she seems way too small and hard to see in this picture of her just outside the school gate.

Standing outside her classroom having just hung up her bag.

Tilly in her classroom - brave smile before the bell goes and mummy has to leave!

Tilly had been quite excited the days leading up - and the morning of fortunately, but eventually the time came when the teacher rang the chimes and it was time for the last hug before mums had to exit.

Awwwwwhhhhhhhhh.

Tilly was good, she gave a big strong hug, a little bit of resistance (meaning if I hadn't let go, she probably wouldn't have either!) but with no tears she turned around and sat quietly and happily and gave her attention to the teacher as I exited the classroom.

I feel more emotional writing about it now - than I did at the time.. At the time I was just concerned about Tilly - didn't want to be upset for her.. when she was okay, I was relieved and happy... but where were my emotions!??

I am not a stranger to being 'alone' without my children as they have both been in childcare... but yes, it still is quite weird to adjust to a little-one starting school...

I did get emotional and teary in the evening of the first day when I allowed myself time to think and reflect... and I still do get emotional now a week later.

It just does seem like such a big deal. Such a milestone.. such a change.

Tilly starting school has changed my mind-set a lot about being the mum that I am - and how I want to run my business.... Before school I enjoyed having some time separate from my kids, and my business was something I threw myself at for some sanity (????). But now suddenly, the idea of me working teaching after-school classes, and weekend parties/workshops is not longer as family-friendly as it was when I had pre-school aged kids.. Now the time immediately after-school and on the weekends is quite precious and sacred... so I have to re-adjust my thinking there quite a bit!

I have taken 'a break' this term from my regular classes, and indeed that is quite a relief. I am so glad that I can be the one to pick Tilly up from school each afternoon - to see her happy smiling face, to try and drag some information from her about the her day... to know if she is over-tired or needs some quite time, or extra activity.. to be able to cook her a favourite meal.

It's weird, but being a stay-at-home mum is completely different once your children start school... I like it, but my focus now is not: "what I want to do", but what I want to do and get ready for the time when I have my kids.....

Tilly is enjoying school already - but is definitely finding it tiring (we suspect that she got Barmah Forest Virus like I did) - so I feel like I have to look after her a lot when she comes home.

For a 'treat' we gave her breakfast in bed on Saturday morning - and I suspect that that is going to be a regular thing as she loved it so much!

Tilly enjoying breakfast in bed...

Well here's to another week of Tilly at school... I hope it continues to go well! xo