This whole ‘going to school’ thing is new for both of us.
Since I split from The Father three years ago, it’s been me and Flea. I’ve worked part-time since she was born, and we’ve always spent loads of time together. So suddenly not knowing what she’s doing between 8.30am and 4pm five days of the week – really weird.
Fortunately, like most kids, Flea is an excellent reporter of the salient facts of her day. Oh yes. Every day, she emerges from school with one, single headline that encapsulates her experience – and any subsequent questions are met with “I don’t know”, “I can’t remember” or “okay”.
Of course, Flea’s idea of a headline isn’t necessarily my idea of a headline. While it would be nice to hear about her teacher, things she’s learned or friends she’s made, those are mere incidentals to Flea. Here are the headlines from Flea’s first five days of big school:
Day One: At lunch there was cake for pudding!
Day Two: We went to a special ‘sembly and the lady made a big fire.
Day Three: Natasha was sick on me and that’s why my blazer is a bit grubby.
Day Four: I opened the corridor door today. That has two ‘door’ sounds in it, you know.
Day Five: James dipped his tie in the sink and that’s why Mrs Edgar took it off.
Okay, so it's not exactly what I might have expected, but you have to admit, it definitely paints a picture, right?
Excellent, we’ve had a year of ‘Don’t know’, ‘Can’t remember’ and my personal favourite ‘nothing’. I did start to wonder why I was sending Ami to school if she did nothing all day.
We’ve had (two afternoons at big school) thus far:-
I got a sticker for letting a boy go first at the water fountain
I’m so proud!! 🙂
Apparently, when my Mum picked me up from my first day at school and asked me how it went, I replied “It was okay but I don’t think I’ll bother going back.”
So she’s in a school where bulemia and pyromania is rife then? Still, kudos on the ‘door’ sounds…
Obviously I meant bulimia – damn me and my inability to spell dietary illnesses…
I have a husband who responds like that when asked how his day went. Maybe by the time Doodlebug goes to school I’ll be proficient at reading between the lines!!
My first day at school, I was really angry when my mother picked me up because I couldn’t read and write yet.
Lessons learned: Never miss lunch on cake day & don’t stand too close to Natasha 🙂
Oh it drives me crazy – their inability to tell me anything. I noticed the transition so much going from nursery to ‘big school’. Nursery used to tell me what she ate, what activities she did, when she pooed, etc etc. Then when school came, I didn’t know a thing. Hated it. Now she’s in Year 1 I’m learning to accept that if she’s still happy to go into school in the morning, then she’s probably doing ok.
@Kassia – Yes, whenever I ask Flea what she’s done, the most I get is: “WE just played.” Oh, so that’s what I’m paying for, is it??
@Sarah – Flea earned a ‘clean plate’ sticker today – SO proud!
@Kath – LOL
@Dawn – You know, I’m just not going to ask about the fire. I sense further explanation will just take all the fun out of it.
@DG – I dunno, I think they’re deliberately enigmatic…
@Mwa – Ha! Yes, one of the little boys in Flea’s class was upset to be given a reading book. “But I can’t read yet!” he cried.
@Leslieanne – I hear you about Natasha. Wretched flippin’ blazer.
@Maternal Tales – Yes, it’s a real change from nursery isn’t it? But I can’t dispute Flea seems 100 percent happy and contented about school, she really hasn’t skipped a beat, which is nice to know.
I love this post, but I’m worried about Natasha. I hope to hear more about her too.
Concerned readers will be glad to note that Natasha was not at school on Day Four, but returned on Day Five, although I suggested Flea should sit next to Poppy or Darcy, just to be on the safe side.
Whoops! Puke on the blazer. Not good LOL!
I’ve tagged you for the Zombie Chicken award at mine but you already have it. That must mean double kudos LOL!
🙂
@Jo – yes, I like to think of myself as “Mummy, PI” when I’m doing the laundry!
@Insomniac Mummy – ooh, awards – thankyou!
It is so hard to find out what they have eaten isn’t it?! Mine had cake for his pudding on his first full day too – after forking out £8.50 I was less than happy!
Em
xx