This is the week that we will all read about how much it costs to send children back to school. Parents are feeling the pressure but it’s not just monetary. In my house anyway, the summer being pulled out of the normal routine has left everyone unsettled. I need routine in my life, but I can compartmentalise it most of the time. The children cannot do this. The last two weeks especially have left my six-year-old daughter Raine out of sorts.
They had a week of Starcamp, which was fantastic, but as dropping and collecting for half-days are not an option for us, it meant a week for the four of us in their grandparents house in Dublin. We are most grateful that granny and grandad facilitated this, but it coincided with the arrival of a new floor for their house – timing was not ideal.
I am not sure where this insecurity came from but it’s already there
At the end of the week, there was a show and I was very proud to watch Raine on the stage singing and dancing – particularly because when I had originally explained to her what Starcamp was she said: “I can’t sing.”
I am not sure where this insecurity came from but it’s already there. The first day, while the four-year-old, Dia, was off casually trying to make friends with the only two boys in the room, Raine was stuck to my leg.
Our efforts to get her out and about meant a lot of different people and different food
My own mother would be the first to point out that this was exactly how myself and my older sister behaved at that age and the shyness that Enrika suffered from as a child disappeared over time. But I still worry. The following week, she went to pony camp – my brother facilitating this one on the collection side. Our efforts to get her out and about meant a lot of different people and different food. Ultimately this morning, she lost all sense of herself as we struggled to get out the door. I don’t think I’m alone.
We can compound all this with a certain level of guilt that Dia, up to this time last week, had nothing bar her mynametags (which I was able to order online a few weeks back) for her first day of school as time escaped us. Not a new lunchbox, a book or a schoolbag. Thankfully, with help, by Friday afternoon, things were starting to come together. Rich ordered the books online and they arrived – tick, my own mother arrived with a homemade cardigan knitted by her friend and a pinafore she made herself – tick, and Dia’s godmother (my sister) purchased some school shirts – tick. I made it to the shop for the bits with the crest on them and hopefully the kindly donated bag of cousin’s black patent shoes will now fit.
I’m looking forward to them consistently going to bed at a regular time, batch-cooking dinners and regular lunches. Just some routine
I met a friend of mine at the weekend who is a primary school teacher and I could see from her expression that my joy at her return to work was not particularly shared. Raine had an epic meltdown getting ready last Monday morning, I complained to those I spoke with about her behaviour and the comment was made: “So you are looking forward to the school doing your job of disciplining your children.” In fairness, it’s not actually that. I’m looking forward to uniforms so there is no continued fight about what she will and won’t wear. I’m looking forward to them consistently going to bed at a regular time, batch-cooking dinners and regular lunches. Just some routine.
Read more
How can you diversify your farm?
Women & Ag: education at the core of the conference
There is a lot to be gained through competition and participation
This is the week that we will all read about how much it costs to send children back to school. Parents are feeling the pressure but it’s not just monetary. In my house anyway, the summer being pulled out of the normal routine has left everyone unsettled. I need routine in my life, but I can compartmentalise it most of the time. The children cannot do this. The last two weeks especially have left my six-year-old daughter Raine out of sorts.
They had a week of Starcamp, which was fantastic, but as dropping and collecting for half-days are not an option for us, it meant a week for the four of us in their grandparents house in Dublin. We are most grateful that granny and grandad facilitated this, but it coincided with the arrival of a new floor for their house – timing was not ideal.
I am not sure where this insecurity came from but it’s already there
At the end of the week, there was a show and I was very proud to watch Raine on the stage singing and dancing – particularly because when I had originally explained to her what Starcamp was she said: “I can’t sing.”
I am not sure where this insecurity came from but it’s already there. The first day, while the four-year-old, Dia, was off casually trying to make friends with the only two boys in the room, Raine was stuck to my leg.
Our efforts to get her out and about meant a lot of different people and different food
My own mother would be the first to point out that this was exactly how myself and my older sister behaved at that age and the shyness that Enrika suffered from as a child disappeared over time. But I still worry. The following week, she went to pony camp – my brother facilitating this one on the collection side. Our efforts to get her out and about meant a lot of different people and different food. Ultimately this morning, she lost all sense of herself as we struggled to get out the door. I don’t think I’m alone.
We can compound all this with a certain level of guilt that Dia, up to this time last week, had nothing bar her mynametags (which I was able to order online a few weeks back) for her first day of school as time escaped us. Not a new lunchbox, a book or a schoolbag. Thankfully, with help, by Friday afternoon, things were starting to come together. Rich ordered the books online and they arrived – tick, my own mother arrived with a homemade cardigan knitted by her friend and a pinafore she made herself – tick, and Dia’s godmother (my sister) purchased some school shirts – tick. I made it to the shop for the bits with the crest on them and hopefully the kindly donated bag of cousin’s black patent shoes will now fit.
I’m looking forward to them consistently going to bed at a regular time, batch-cooking dinners and regular lunches. Just some routine
I met a friend of mine at the weekend who is a primary school teacher and I could see from her expression that my joy at her return to work was not particularly shared. Raine had an epic meltdown getting ready last Monday morning, I complained to those I spoke with about her behaviour and the comment was made: “So you are looking forward to the school doing your job of disciplining your children.” In fairness, it’s not actually that. I’m looking forward to uniforms so there is no continued fight about what she will and won’t wear. I’m looking forward to them consistently going to bed at a regular time, batch-cooking dinners and regular lunches. Just some routine.
Read more
How can you diversify your farm?
Women & Ag: education at the core of the conference
There is a lot to be gained through competition and participation
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