I have been a school mum for a whole half term now so I’m obviously an expert. Ha jokes aside! The gremlin has been in reception for half a term and it’s flown by. It’s mad really. All the worry and build up of her starting school and she’s been absolutely fine. No tears or issues at all. I was clutching at my tissues on the first day and she barely looked back.
I was always wondering what it would be like to be a school mum. You hear some many stories and cliches. I always wondered if I would fit in and if I would enjoy it. The answer I think is yes to both but I’ve learnt a lot on the way so far.
Here we go:
– There are always going to be a variety of parents on the run, just like the cliches. If we are talking about mums, you have the keen ones who will be attending all the PTA meetings. Then there are the ones who are less so and barely read the newsletter. There’s ones who go with the flow and others who are fussy and will complain to the school if they are not happy. You’ll have the ones who make an effort with make up and those who don’t care. It’s a good variety and it’s kind of nice as I can just slot in however I want.
– You have to read the newsletter or like me have a good neighbour who will remind me of things!! If not you’re up shit creek without a paddle, especially if you don’t get a good parents evening slot.
– There are a lot of rules you have to abide to. Like them or lump them if you go against one (even if not your fault) you are going to get told about it.
– Following from above you may learn you are actually a bit of a rebel at heart. Why can my child not do this because of a rule? Why are they not allowed to bring a snack in? Half you wants to do it anyway and just be naughty.
– Then on the other hand you feel the pressure to be one of the “good ones”. I’ll remember to upload some pictures of my kid at the weekend reciting Shakespeare. I’ll make sure I remember to bring some baked beans in for the Harvest Festival. It’s a bit of a conflict eh??
– You start comparing your kid to others and there is sod all you can do about it. This child can do this but can mine? Why is my child not getting this and another is? I vowed never to do this but it’s hard to let it go and stay cool.
– Your kid will lose shit. A jumper or their coat. Be prepared to nag them a lot or you will be forking out a lot in replacements!
– You have to make an effort if you want to make friends and get involved. Sometimes the small talk is hard and making new friends an effort but I think it will be worth it, especially as I will be working part time and not doing all the school runs.
– You have to iron. There is sadly no way of avoiding it, unless you want your kid to look like they have been dragged through a hedge.
– The little scrunchies that come with the school dresses do NOT old your kid’s hair in. By the end of the day the hair is almost down, your child looks like a scruff bag and scrunchie has almost fallen out!
It’s been fun and a learning curve but I’m getting there. Back at work this week so there will be some changes and I’ll have to get my head around it all. See how things are going at Christmas eh?