I was sat outside Holly’s Ballet class in a room full of mums and they were talking about visiting the schools trying to decide which one is right for their child.
And it took me back to two years ago when we were doing the same for Alice. I was fairly sure I knew which school was our first choice, but how wrong was I.
I learnt that whilst the reports are important to take into consideration, what was actually more important for me was the question – ‘Is this school right for Alice?’
Could I imagine her sat on the mat for story time and running out of the school gates and into my arms at the end of the day (I never tire of this).
And the answer was ‘no’ to the school I thought we would love. When I walked into the school that ended up being our first choice, I immediately felt it suited Alice. It was smaller, quieter and had a lovely feel about it. I knew she wouldn’t get lost in the crowd.
Of course that one decision meant a lot of changes for us if Alice got a place. We were out of catchment and if she got a place, what about Holly two years later?
Well it is two years later and it’s time to fill in that school application for a second time.
A lot has changed since then, for those that don’t know, Alice did get a place in the school that we loved and it is without a doubt the best decision we made. She is now in Year one, has lots of friends and is thriving at school.
Whilst Alice starting school is a big deal, a massive change to our everyday life. The biggest change that has happened for us all, is we moved house last year.
When we decided to put the school down as our first choice, we also made the decision that if Alice got a place we would move to be closer. Of course a factor in that decision is to be in catchment for Holly. But we also wanted a change in life.
As I sit to fill in the application form for Holly I don’t have the same worry and stress like I did with Alice. I don’t have to do the school visits, because we visit the school every day.
Instead I have tears in my eyes as I type her name, because I’m not ready to give my baby girl over to school. She seems so much younger than Alice did at this age and whilst they are exactly the same age. Alice is a wise head on young shoulders!
I know that between now and when she starts she will grow up a lot, but I just want to sprinkle magic dust on her and keep her little forever.
I can’t imagine not having a little one with me everyday, to sit in the coffee shop and not getting the colouring out. To have two empty hands as I walk around the shops and no last minute dashes to the nearest toilet.
As I drive along to the radio in the background and no constant chat or nursery rhymes coming from the back. To only have me to buckle in the car. It all feels so alien to me.
So as I sit here filling in the form, I’m filled with very different thoughts to the first time. I’m going to treasure this time with Holly, soak her up and try not to think to far into the future.
Jon says
I think you are spot on by asking ‘if this school right for Alice?’ sometimes we can get too bogged down in the reports like you say as they can be a bit too ‘matter of fact’ I find at times
Justine says
Well thank you for making me cry into my coffee. Have a few years until my DD starts school, but I already can’t imagine my days without her.
Plutonium Sox says
Aww it’s lovely that you don’t have the same worries as last time but I know what you mean, I can’t believe it’s coming round so quickly.
Nat.x
Helen says
Aww I really feel for you – I’m dreading sending my daughters off to school already and my eldest is only 2 years old!
Joanna Bayford says
I like that u wanted to make sure the school was right for Alice. We felt the same way when putting Blake into pre-school it had to be right for him. It means walking a bit further but worth it when u see them happy. I hope holly gets a place at ur chosen school and likes it just as much as Alice.
Jess @ Catch A Single Thought says
I 100% agree that you should go on feeling rather than just reading the reports. And I can totally sympathise with you about sending your littlest off to school. My youngest is now in his third year but it was far harder to let him go than it was when my eldest started, I wonder why that is?!
Claire says
I remember all 4 of mine’s first day at school. I cried my eyes out with all of them 🙁
Emma T says
Must be weird seeing number 2 at the same stage as a couple of years ago. She still looks so diddy, but I guess they grow up so much in the so many months.
Hannah says
Ah it must be hard but you’re not alone!
Nadia says
Oh Laura, this made my heart swell. You reminded me to enjoy these early days even more, as it goes so fast xx
Katie @mummydaddyme says
I felt like this Laura when I did Lottie’s. She felt so small to be starting school and whilst I didn’t have the nerves of a new place, I had the sadness of losing another of my babies to school. She’s nearly been there a whole term and is thriving but I must admit I miss her a lot during the day. It doesn’t feel the same in the house without her. x
Starlight and Stories says
Sending so much love to you. We have just filled in the secondary school application for my eldest. They grow up far too quickly x
Emma says
I’m just about to do school applications for my eldest and it’s so difficult to know what is the right school and then choosing other schools that would also suit in case we don’t get first choice. Such a stressful time.
Tanita says
Aw don’t its so hard isn’t it this was me a few weeks ago and it made me quite emotional. I cant believe my little one will be at school next September! Bless them. xx
Leona says
The idea of school applications fills me with dread. Glad you got into the school that was best for Alice
Kara says
I felt like that last year with Sebby as he is my youngest. Now he is in and settled it is like he has always been there
Chloe Ciliberto says
It’s so good that you found a school so lovely and that suits them both and even lovelier you don’t have the stress of being in the catchment area this time around. We are doing our daughters application at the moment and we’re very stressed because we love a really little school but we aren’t in the catchment area for it. Fingers crossed its good news for us too! xx
Sonia Cave says
When our eldest started school in the UK we had it firmly in our heads where we wanted her to go…..she decided on another one and we sent her where she chose so she was happy