Gatchamania.net - Print: Back to new school...

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Posted by meridianday on 08-09-2010 at 12:31:

Back to new school...

My daughter has just started high school yesterday (that's age 11 high school in the uk, dunno about ages etc in other countries).

So, she went there yesterday, got a lift from one of her friends on the way there and I walked them both back yesterday evening to make absolutely certain that she knows the route.

This morning, she walked to meet her friend who was walking there with some other girls (the oldest girl with them walked them all out into the road front of a taxi, great start, at least my daughter doesn't have to cross that road). This afternoon, she's walking back without me, part of the way by herself. She has to do this because I'm out at the office twice a week so she's got to get comfortable with coming back to an empty house. Many of the other kids will be coming back to an empty house 5 days a week, so she's not too badly off there.

I've known this has been coming for, well, years. But she still seems to be so little to be starting in high school and walking around by herself. So today I shall be sitting here stressing while I'm waiting for her to get back, and tomorrow I shall be instructing her to phone me when she's got home, and I'll be leaving work at 4pm on the dot to get home as soon as I can. I feel as if we should be more prepared, and yet I know we're as prepared as we could get.

I suppose this is the start of her properly growing up. This is where she really has to develop some independence. Now I'm thinking, is it that I'm worried that she's not ready, or is it in fact me who isn't ready?

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Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny." Devilstar

Posted by Transmute Jun on 08-09-2010 at 14:36:

I'm with you, Meridian. My daughter will be in that position next year: just about the same age and going off to the middle school. I dont think I'm ready for that. I've got a year to prepare, but somehow it doesn't seem like enough time...

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Posted by amethyst on 08-09-2010 at 16:04:

My daughter just started middle school this year. She lost her schedule (knew that was coming); but fortunately did not forget her classes (that was a pleasant surprise). She'd forget her head if it wasn't attached to her neck.

It won't be long before she's telling you she doesn't need the help. (Mine already is, but then she has two older brothers that have taught her well, for the most part).

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Perspective Alters Reality

Posted by gatchamarie on 08-09-2010 at 17:28:

My two kids are still very young, only 6 and almost 5, but, I'm already worrying about the day when I have to let them go and be more independent! It's like it has been only yesterday that I've held them in my arms as newborn babies, but, then, sometimes I stop and realise how much they are growing up fast! So, in a way I understand you, Meridianday, and I totally sympathise with you, even if I haven't reached that stage, yet! Huggles I'm already anxious about the imminent start of their new scholastic year ... only God knows in what state I'll be when they'll reach the phase your daughter is at, at present!

I think that, in my case, and, most probably in the case of most other parents, it's us who are never ready, and not our children! Now I'm realising what my own parents have really passed through, and what had been most of their attitude about ... the only difference is that we have much more to worry regarding our children's future, IMO! Life is much more different, and complicated, for the new generation, having to face greater difficulties, and having to be much more careful of what, or who, they might encounter! That means more anxiety for us!

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Posted by PalyNerd on 09-09-2010 at 02:27:

I dont want to even think about High School! My eldest starts kindergarten 2 full days a week next term and that is bad enough!

Im dreading the day my boys get their drivers license, around here too many teenage boys are killed in car crashes...