The New Girl
Last week we had an event that the two small people had been very apprehensive about, the first day at their new school! In preparation I made sure everything was ready the night before – lunchboxes and drinks bottles stood waiting to be filled, school clothes sat in piles at the end of the bed, and bags and coats were placed at the ready by the front door. Organisation is of huge importance for an unorganised soul such as myself, as my priorities and emotions were bound to be elsewhere early the next day…
The next morning after a forced breakfast and an almost silent drive, we arrived at the school. I managed to park the monster truck hire car successfully (which I only had as my chosen vehicle wasn’t available at the time. I think I was supposed to be pleased about this car judging from the expectant looks on the faces of the people on the Avis desk, but all I could think of was how on earth I was going to park this beast! A tiny detail that had also kept me awake for most of the previous night!), and we went inside. I almost felt like it was my first day at school again, and in some ways I guess it was, having not met anyone there myself! Unlike my children however, I quite enjoy the meeting new people part! We made our way through the unfamiliar corridors to our first classroom, where my daughter was greeted like an old friend by her lovely new teacher and classmates. She quite visibly relaxed, and a huge grin broke out on her face! That’s when the first lot of butterflies left my stomach. As she bade me a happy farewell, it was onto the next classroom with Small Boy. As he was welcomed into his class, the realisation that he might actually like it here was palpable from him too. It was quite hard for me to try and keep my emotions in check on the way back to the car, because as I think most other Expat mothers will tell you, the school is the thing that we worry about the most when moving to any new location. I could live literally anywhere as long as my two are happy at school, and if they are happy then that helps the rest of the family to feel more secure and settled in a new location too!
Of course it’s early days, and I am sure there will be some ups and downs along the way, but I couldn’t honestly be more relieved with how the initial few days have panned out. Phew!
A new language, a new city, new school, new friends – those ‘two small people’ are very very brave, and so are you. I can imagine that rush of emotion as you left the school. My daughter’s first day of nursery is edging closer, and mine might be the only case where the child goes prancing in, and the mother stands bawling :)
Thanks Pia… It went so well, I still can’t believe it. Don’t worry, I can guarantee that you won’t be the only mother stood there in tears!! Girls seem to be so independent and I remember crying not only because my baby was starting nursery school, but because she couldn’t wait for me to leave :D
Ahhhh. Finally I have a chance to catch up! So glad that they’ve got over the first day – it’s generally the worst! And also glad that you’re settled in. I meant to ask about the language – do the kids speak German? x
Hello you! Thank you. Just about settled thankfully! No they don’t speak German currently, but 5 lessons a week should soon sort that out! I hope they hurry up and learn, they are going to need to help me! :) xx
Phew three!
Thank you! I am sure they will both hate it soon, but the fact that they liked it initially is so important :)
Your children will be such confident young adults in years to come: this will surely stand them in good stead. I can imagine the stress, though, and the holding back of those tears x
Thanks Trish… I certainly hope so :) xx
good one.
Thanks Kellogsville :)
Phew too! Mx
two phews! :) xxx