wow! I've never thought about all this before, my baby boy is just 6 months old so I still have lots of time to read and prepare for school, but oh my! 20 years! sounds like a lifetime!

thank you for sharing all this...beautiful!
and best of lucks in this new phase for your lovely family :)

wonderful write up! with one in secondary, and two in elementary I can fully agree with the advises given

I'm reading these posts with such interest Jodi. We'll wave our first born off to school this coming September (he will only just turn four in July - the UK system is so different), and I can't quite believe it just yet. I'm sure I'll visit and revisit all of your posts again as the time gets nearer. I hope Che's (and your) journey through the first few weeks of this new phase go perfectly, I'm sure they will. x

all the best for this journey.. and then after the two decades you might farewell them from the family home - that is a step I remember taking (as the first born and first child to leave the family home) ... emotional, difficult, but ultimately, a positive step. I get tears in my eyes remembering saying goodbye that day, a young 18 year old in a new city.. will be thinking of you xxxx

I am so interested in schooling and reading about parenting a school-aged child. I have no idea what path I will choose for our family yet. I look forward to reading more and hearing what other parents have gone through before me. I remember school being a fun and challenging place (and a little scary at times) I'm sure Che will take it in his stride xxx

Positive, sound and very reassuring advice. Dealing with the tangible changes has been something we have been working on. But the mental and emotional transitions are so much harder. I've not known where to start. This has been a very good place, so thanks to each of you lovely ladies

Jodi, Thank you for this series. Even as a homeschooling Mumma, there is so much wisdom for me here amongst the words and the stories you are sharing. It's always nice to have gentle reminders of the small things that really aren't so small after all - and their importance. "Take a walk with DD and *listen* to her" is going on our afternoon rhythm plan today and each afternoon going forward. All Blessings for the journey yourself and the family are embarking on in the days to come.

Thank you for posting these thoughts. They are really important to read and consider.

I found the prospect of Kindergarten so daunting that I have decided to send my girl at the latest possible time. She could start this week at 4y8m but I will send her next year at 5y8m and I feel so confident in that decision. Extending her childhood, nurturing her in our values, slow days and all that. I know that not everyone gets that choice to start a bit later but I'm very glad I have this time with her.

Thank you for some great inspiration Jodi :) Good luck over the next few months, my oldest started school in september. I always make sure I have a piece of home made cake or bread for when he gets home so we can sit and chat about the day we have had. I am blogging at nataliejtc.blogspot.co.uk xx

As my first born heads off to Prep this year, I LOVED this post Jodi.
THANK YOU to the Mummas who contributed their outlook and experiences.
Especially, Gourmet Girlfriend who has really given me some awesome food for thought.
Claire xx
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Good luck Jodi and good luck Che - starting school is a milestone in so many ways. My boys are Year 1 and Year 3 in the UK (5 and nearly 8) and it really is a massive learning curve for all of us - we moved house a year ago and so had to contend with starting over at a new school and breaking into the cliques (oh yes, the cool / the sporty / the stay-at-home groups exist all over) was the biggest thing for me to get my head around. I think the key to it all - as some have already said - is to make time each day to talk to your little man about his experiences, but to let it come from him. He'll probably not say much to start with (mine still shrug when I ask them how their days were) but rest assured, that more than likely means he's having a whale of a time!
Suzie x http://suziewilliamsphotography.tumblr.com

That 'walking with' and taking time is so very important.

If you are able to walk home from school, then do so. We are a five minute walk home from school and it frequently takes up to thirty. The boys like to connect with their friends after school. they play a little handball. I catch up with other parents. The boys like to run around the school oval enjoying the space to themselves, we sometimes play ball. We walk home slowly. The boys can talk about their day, or not. I'm frequently carrying their school bags as they run back and forth playing games on the fottpath. We interact with other people in the neighbourhood. And when we finally get home we have afternoon tea together to connect at a deeper level, before the boys go off for more frenzied play or to do homework.

I'm not fond of the 'big kid' talk that parents give their children going off to school. Five is not big. It is so very little. I wrote a blog post about going to school at http://handsheartsminds.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/getting-ready-for-school/.

Best Wishes

Jodi I'm enjoying these posts. My daughter will be starting school next year and even though I am a teacher myself and perhaps I sometimes think that I should know what goes on - I am a mother first and can't predict how my daughter will transition. I really like Ruth's words and advice of slowing down and taking time to walk and talk. I really want my daughter to feel comfortable talking to me. I wish Che all the best and your too Jodi... I hope his first experience is a happy and memorable one :)

Sophie xo

Thank you Jodi for asking me to be part of this valuable series, very honoured to be among such wise and thoughtful mamas. I love too that we have each shared such different thoughts and experiences. I will have extra butterflies in my tummy this year as school returns when I think of all you blogging mamas with little ones starting out! Sunglasses and tissues are a must. Best wishes to you and yours ladies xx

Yikes, this post made a sport a little tear! My eldest will be at kindy (or preschool for NSW)3 days a week and she is super excited. The reality of the beginning of her schooling years is setting in for me! I absolutely love how Ruth does an afternoon tea with her boys each afternoon and I would love to do the same. To take the time to stop, debrief, connect and share. xx

Thank you so much for dedicating so much time (and posts) to this huge transition for us Mamas. I really like the specific questions/de-breif ideas for post-school chats. The standard "how was your day at school?" is often too broad for children to answer....so they usually just give a one word answer, which helps no one!
My firstborn starts Pre-school this year (3 days per week). I am excited and so glad that he is "ready" but I also feel a lot of the same feelings as you. THIS is it. He is now in the school system and there is no turning back. Gosh that sounds so dramatic! But thinking about the clear move between the years he has been at home with me vs. the years ahead does stop me in my tracks.

Jodi, Che is so lucky to have you as his mother. You are such a conscious and thoughtful parent and although you are admitting this transition isn't going to be easy for you, you are devoting time to prepare and work through your feeling.

Wishing Che a wonderful year ahead. xx

Toddler C is a few years away from starting school but already every night before bed I tell him about the best moment of my day and I tell him about a moment when I felt proud.
And I ask him the same.
He doesn't have the words to respond to me yet and although I know he doesn't entirely understand what I am saying, I still love the little routine and I am looking forward to continuing this tradition in some form...sharing and connecting.

Though I can't relate to this school series right now, I do appreciate knowing I can come back here when my daughter is of age : )

I've never read anything like these school posts. I just love them, especially this one! I am a mother to a five month old baby girl but before she was born, I was a preschool teacher for over ten years. Now, I'm in this new role as Mama and I never even thought to think this way about school. I'm loving all the advice and stories and I'm storing it all for when it comes time for my own to go to school. Thank you!

Oh, I was enjoying reading through all these and then pop! there I am at the bottom! Thanks for including me in your list Jodes. I'm like, totes flattered. I too really remember that moment of realising how many, many years of being a 'school mum' lay ahead. Best wishes for this week. xx

I too feel so honoured to be part of this very special and important post, I loved reading the wise and heartfelt words, so great to refresh and remind.

I agree with all of the above! And ESP what Kate said volunteering at the school if you can was great I got o knw all the kids in the class, at least there names and I loved knowing who Marlo was talking about. I found 5 day was. Long time too- I missed her- it seemed the weeks would fly past. I Lao put a chart up so we knew what was on ech day, music, library etc this helped remind me what o ask about too.

wnderfull pics...xo emma

Such wonderful piece of advices! Totally loved this post. My 3 and half year will be starting his kindergarten in April, though I was not ready to start his school so soon ( was thinking to start by next year) but age criteria would have mad it difficult net year! My fingers crossed how will he transform into a grown up and how will I perform as a schooling mother, to walk with him Side by side, always. Thanks for shaing !

love love love!!!

Our first born started school for the fist time last year (after 3 different kindergartens in 2 years in 2 different countries!) She handled so much change amazingly, but she is still a child, and we had some very tough lessons to learn as parents in the first 6 months. What I leant is that we need to teach our children about emotions and how different people and other families are. Lots of talking about this, there is no right or wrong, just lots of differences and that feeling emotional or emotions is NOT bad.
Enjoy watching your little boy thrive, they are so ready for school, it is magical to behold!

Hi Jodi and Moms...what do you think about pulling kids out of school once they're in? I was all set to go back to work full-time after my second maternity leave but then I got laid off just a week before my planned-return. It takes over a year to secure daycare spots so we forged ahead with their entry (age 1 and 3) into full-time daycare while I figured out my "what next." It's been a a few months and I am slowly building the foundation of a freelance writing career from home. I've only been using the daycare 3 days/week. I want to pull my girls out of school all together but worry that it would be confusing for them and that I'd have no time to work.

Thank you for the post. Although we aren't quite school aged yet, we are looking at pre-schools for the kid to start either this July or next July. So many things to learn for this mama about school and getting her ready for pre-school.

Thank you, thank you! I loved this. Even though my little lady is just about to start 3 year old kinder (not quite big school), it's still a huge adjustment for me. I needed to read this. x

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