Comments on: She’s starting school but for me, something’s ending.

By: donttalkloud

donttalkloud — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:25:12 +0000

Stepping foot into the big wide playground of life.
I hope your little girl has kind and understandiing teachers to help her along.

By: Chrissi Hobba

Chrissi Hobba — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 06:57:25 +0000

All I can add is when the time came my children were fortunate enough to transmission from a Montessori child care centre Montessori International College (Buderim). They were in classes of less than 20 and each teacher had a full time assistant. They had the same teacher for three years. Needless to say the bonds of mutual respect very very strong. Both my teenages are curious, strong minded, secure individuals who are self motivated learns. There are schools and then there ARE schools. Good luck to you and your daughter as you start this amazing journey

By: Piper

Piper — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:35:30 +0000

A day to yourself is rejuvenating. Wait until the last one starts school, and even though, like my 3rd and youngest who has just started and is loving it and coping very well, for me it is the very final end to a stage. No more kids at home That is sad, although of course there are many good times to come…

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:49:38 +0000

Wow. you’d really judge me then as I never sent any of my kids to daycare or preschool.

And no, my kids have never been bored, under stimulated or behind.

By: Penguin

Penguin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:33 +0000

This is a gorgeous post. I can identify with it all; my daughter starts 4 yr old Kinder next week. I am feeling very emotional about it but at the same time excited at this next stage, with an 8 yr old and a 4 yr old…

By: Stef

Stef — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:18:06 +0000

My son will be starting primary school next week and I am more than a little sad I know that we have had some wonderful times together, and there are days when I WISH he was already in school (!!) but there are more days when I wish we could just sit on the swing-chair in the backyard reading books, bake cupcakes, jump on the trampoline and go for endless walks (the list goes on…).

To all those commenters below re: the “right” age to start your child at school – we all have personal choice, because it’s important. Some kids are ready at 4-turning-5, some aren’t. I know that everyone quotes the Steve Biddulph book (1997) and some Kathy Walker material (similar vintage) but, there is more recent research to consider from the University of Sydney (2009) that actually found that there is no advantage from delaying entry and that it may, in fact, hold kids back.

See this: http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=3197

Also, this from the US:http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/miranda-devine/holding-him-back-can-do-just-that/2009/01/30/1232818724394.html

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:05:35 +0000

Mina, as I pointed out, unless their are developmental or social problems I think children should be at school.

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:36:11 +0000

My youngest boy might be starting kindergarten next year (late March birthday so not sure), which is freaking me out. My little baby and my last born about to embark into the big wide world… Then I suppose I really should think about going back to work more days and being a more ‘active’ member of the workforce (instead of just part-time when no-one takes you seriously). Yikes!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:52:23 +0000

Beautifully written post and really resonated with me. Thank you.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:32:18 +0000

“no more lying down with a warm little body for a daytime nap while the public world—full of postmen and trucks and telephones—goes on outside” oh wow, you have summed that feeling up perfectly. My eldest is starting kinder this year and I still have a 16 month old…. But that pull from turning from babies into toddlers is happening…. Makes my heart full and also sad all at the same time. Lovely post Kim.