These are the words uttered from my four year old as he climbs the stairs to go to bed last Sunday night, me and my husband look at each other and sigh. We feel his pain. I wish there was another weekend, I wish we had another two days together. It would be another two days to take it easy, to please ourselves and there would be no rushing.
I’m not sure why but going back to school after Christmas has seemed harder than when he first started in September. I suppose there was a lot of excitement when he started in Reception and it was all new. The weather was so much better too; no cold walks to school in the big coat, no layering up with hats and gloves, no cold toes. He had settled in so well and every week got easier, he loved it and I loved seeing the changes in him. I wrote this as I finally started to feel ok about it and now it feels like we’ve taken a couple of steps backwards.
Every now and again he has a wobble going in and I have to lift him into the door of the classroom while he cries and says he doesn’t want to go. I hate those mornings and dread them as I see his face fall when the classroom door opens. I had a chat to the teacher about it and we both know some of it is tiredness, I feel tired myself with the dark mornings and miserable weather so it’s understandable he feels the same. Some of it is that they don’t get quite as much free time to play now, as the school year goes on they have to prepare them for more ‘work’ and more structured activities. I had to smile when she said that, everything he does in on his terms so I can only imagine the fun they have trying to get him to work.
I have quite a nice routine going at home now with the twins and I love spending the time with them doing the things they’ve missed out on as the second children. However, I still miss Lucas in the week, it’s hard only seeing him for a couple of hours at either side of the day when he’s tired and grumpy. That’s why I look forward to the weekends all the more, not only do we not have to rush out on the school run but he is generally well rested and happy. Most weekends now we let him stay up a little later past his bedtime. He thinks this is the biggest treat ever and asks when we are putting the twins to bed so he can stay up and have a movie night. He chooses something to watch, I have watched Big Hero 6 more times that I care to mention, and I get him a snack tray with popcorn and treats. For so long it was just me and him so I really love those moments when we cuddle up together and forget about bedtimes and school books. At the end of every film we have to get up and dance then he goes off happily to bed.
Even though I am a stay at home mum the school holidays feel like my holidays. As soon as he goes back to school I start the countdown all over again. I look forward to them even though they are crazy; I could never claim that it is perfect harmony when we are all at home but it is still something to enjoy. It is more time with this little boy and when it feels like he is growing up too quickly, it is a week to slow down. I can see those quirks of his that I miss during the manic school week.
This Sunday I’ll be able to tell him that tomorrow isn’t a school day, that we have a whole week together before the word school has to be uttered. We’ll make sure it is a good week!
16 Comments
Ah it is so hard Hayley and I can imagine it is even harder if he is having wobbles about school. I am lucky that Mads adores school and always wants to go but I know I would feel dreadful if she didn’t want to. I live for the holidays too, I am so excited that half term is here and we can just lazy about and I can spend quality time with her. I love my days with LL but I do miss her too. x
February 12, 2016 at 3:54 pmHe used to love going in which is why it has really thrown me when he gets upset, I think we’ve just got passed it but I suppose this week off will set us back a little! Enjoy the week off with your beautiful girls xx
February 14, 2016 at 4:46 pmOh, bless him. I know this term is the term that they work them that little bit more, as they’ve settled in now and I remember there being less play this time last year for Boo. As you say, I think a lot of us feel tired on the dark and cold mornings, too, which doesn’t help. I hope you all have a fabulous week together and Lucas re-energises xx
February 12, 2016 at 7:04 pmThanks Jocelyn, I’m really looking forward to it and then it isn’t too long until the next holidays either 🙂 xx
February 14, 2016 at 4:54 pmAh Hayley I feel your pain. My Meme us the same, I have to start giving her mini motivational speeches on a Tuesday to get her through the week. She is in reception too so I worry it will get worse as it gets harder. We look forward to our weekends so much and we are all delighted that it is half term. Hopefully when the weather gets a bit brighter and warmer they will feel a bit better about going, this time of year is just so gloomy. Enjoy your week together xx
February 12, 2016 at 10:19 pmI’m glad that mine isn’t the only one, I think I worried so much because he is the youngest in the year I am so much more concious of it but the truth is that they all feel tired. Hope you have a lovely week off too xx
February 14, 2016 at 4:55 pmI love that he thought it was another weekend! I think the school / working week is too long, there is no real balance. I think at least a 3 day weekend is ideal.
February 13, 2016 at 2:08 pmThat would be amazing wouldn’t it? I think we would all be a lot happier for it!
February 14, 2016 at 4:56 pmOh gosh, I can so relate, the first year of school was similar for us and it massively tears at your heartstrings. I know mine are so ready for it to be half term, they are just exhausted!
February 13, 2016 at 8:56 pmI’m glad it isn’t just us, I feel like I’ve dragged him through the half term, can’t wait for the break! xx
February 14, 2016 at 4:56 pmHayley I have always thought this term is the hardest for kiddies, there is almost nothing to look forward too, its dark, gloomy and cold, we know spring is on the way but bless them it must feel so dull. I love the weekends and holiday when we are all together,i know someone that dreads having her kids home for the holidays and it makes me so sad that anyone could ever feel like that x
February 14, 2016 at 12:56 pmI feel the same, I know some other parents think I’m mad but I just love having them home. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect…far from it, haha! I can’t wait for the spring! xx
February 14, 2016 at 5:01 pmLoved reading this Hayley and yes I can totally relate. I found the first term so easy to get up and get to it, I loved walking to school and it was all so exciting, these days its such a chore and we drive more (eeek), I am so excited for half term and some fun adventures, I feel life has been lacking a bit!
February 14, 2016 at 7:22 pmYou look gorgeous in that pic too by the way – its a lovely one x
Thanks Mary, I’m so glad it isn’t just me. I think because there are signs of spring I am hoping we can do more this holiday. I’m sure you will enjoy the family time and I hope you get a few fun adventures and some time to rest up too 🙂 xx
February 14, 2016 at 9:52 pmAh I completely get this. We’ve had so many wobbly mornings too and sometimes I just want to give z a big hug and tell him I don’t want to go either. Of course I don’t and just keep giving him a pep talk about how he’ll learn so much and have so much fun. I wish they only had a 4 day week or something. Alas, at least there is half term x
February 16, 2016 at 4:01 pmHayley, I’m exactly the same! While I love having more time with the littlest, I hate rushing J to school and not having him with me all day. He’s been so tired since Christmas, I think it’s hard going back to school when the weather is so dismal. I’m loving this week and am noticing a massive difference in how well the boys get along when I’m not nudging them out of the house. Hope you’re having a wonderful half term x
February 17, 2016 at 9:26 pm