Do you have a child starting school next year? Do you know what to expect? Did the school give you a lovely 1 page ‘handbook’ where all will be revealed and you’ll know exactly what your child’s first year of school will be like, or more importantly, what Mum’s first year of school will be like? No. I didn’t think so.

I read every piece of documentation that was handed to me. Here was my flesh and blood, my first born, the one we tried to have for such a long time, was off into the big bad world of school and I thought I knew it all. She is in Grade 1 this year, going onto Grade 2 come January 2012 but I have my son starting school for the first time next year and I’m a little more informed of what goes on, or what to expect. Here are some of the things I discovered, which you may or may not as well, but just in case you do.

[photo source]

Fact # 1.

Do as the teacher says. When she asks for volunteers, and you have time, help. If she doesn’t offer, don’t ask. You’ll appear like a meddling Mumma who’s paranoid about leaving your child in the care of someone else.

[photo source]

Fact # 2.

If your child is way more advanced than other children (which of course you will think they are), don’t worry about it. Teachers are well trained in this sort of thing and will make suitable provision for their education, giving them more work as they seem is necessary. Or, on the other hand, if you think your child isn’t learning as fast as you would like, by all means, bring it to the teacher’s attention, but rest assured the teacher will have noticed and is doing something about it.

[photo source]

Fact # 3.
Remember, there’s a lot more to school than reading, writing and arithmetic. It’s about following instructions, observing rules, fitting into a class situation, getting along, being responsible for school bags, feeding themselves and toileting. It’s all a steep learning curve for them and just because they can’t read “War and Peace” or know complex mathematics, doesn’t mean that your child isn’t learning.

[photo source]

Fact # 4.

Bullying does exist in every school, classroom, school yard etc. It’s a fact of life. It happens when you grow up in the workplace. It’s the way your child handles it that will help. My daughter was (and still is in some respect) very timid and shy and always wanting to please everybody all of the time so was a target for bullying earlier this year. I was mortified and went charging up to the school every 5 seconds demanding something be done about it. WRONG! Yes, of course you’ll need to know the school’s anti-bullying policy, which it should have, and you would like it not to happen but more effort should be put in to teaching your children how to handle it. I think we’ve come a long way in 10 months and my daughter is starting to be a little more resilient.

[photo source]

Fact # 5.

Sometimes your child will still be clingy and that’s okay. Best to say goodbye and move away as quickly as possible. As much as I always wanted to stay and tell my daughter it was okay, I had to leave.

[photo source]

Fact # 6.

There will be a lot of crafting, show and share projects and other bits and pieces required to be done at home. I’m lucky in that my daughter is very independent and wants to do these things by herself but you’ll need to put the term’s show and share schedule on your fridge or the bathroom mirror (wherever you will

look all the time) so you don’t forget. You don’t want your child saying, on the morning it’s their turn for show and share, “Mum, I need that model of the solar system for my show and share this morning.” Yikes! I was lucky that I gave myself 12 hours notice when my daughter needed a 3D model of a planet. Never again.

[photo source]

Fact # 7.

Have a central location for all the notices, newsletters, fundraising days and permission slips right next to the calendar. You’ll think you’re organising the Prime Minister’s schedule once school starts. There’s something on every week. Even though the cost isn’t always that much, it certainly does add up. I would even suggest a small jar of gold coins for all those ‘gold coin donation’ entry fees for dances, ‘wear this colour for this cause’, etc etc. They’re on all the time.

[photo source]

Fact # 8.

Keep lunch simple. I’ve read all the wonderful lunch recipes they suggest you make your children. Fancy savoury muffins, salad wraps, bento boxes of salad etc. In these early days, a sandwich, piece of fruit or vegie sticks, yoghurt and un-iced muffin is about all they need. Stay away from prepackaged items as well because these kids are pretty competitive and get so jealous when they see someone with the latest Buzz Lightyear or Cinderella yoghurt package. I know they’ll be more likely to eat it but get some stickers and stick it on a plain brand one. The kids won’t know any difference.

[photo source]

Fact # 9.

Remember that any glimmer of social life you once had is over. There’ll be helping out in the classroom, school banking, covering library books, tuckshop, church services (if your child goes to a religious school), Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, Christmas shows and things to do and school grounds maintenance. There’ll be help wanted for cooking the sausage sizzle for all of the above plus the dances, school fetes and other fundraising days. By the way, what on earth did teachers do when I went to school?  How did they cope without any parent help or teacher’s aides? I love my daughter’s teachers and they do have such a hard job but boy, it was different when I went to school.

A winter fairy welcoming spring from a Shirley Barber fairy book

Fact # 10.

Book week is 18 to 24 August 2012. Mark it in your calendar at least 3 months prior. Have at least 5 character costumes from your child’s favourite books at the ready because they will change their mind.

So, there you have it. I’m not saying I’m an expert because I’m far from it. I still am learning how to fit in to the whole school system and the most important lesson I’ve learned is that it’s not about me. It’s about my child. If I don’t need to know about something, I don’t need to know. As long my child is learning, is fitting into the whole system in a safe and sound way, is happy and content (most of the time), then I’m happy. It’s all about them. It’s always all about them.

Head on over to Denyse Whelan Education Consultant who is running a month long link-up for bloggers to share their big school experiences. Denyse is also about to launch her education newsletter which would be really handy to subscribe to, given the immense education experience Denyse has, she will have you navigating the school yard in no time! I’m also linking up with Gemma from My Big Nutshell who is sharing a comprehensive 3 part series (I honestly wonder where that woman gets the time – she’s a machine) on what to expect when your child will start school.