My son goes to secondary school in September.  Yikes I don’t know if I am ready for the transition. It seems like he is really growing up now, where has the time gone? It doesn’t seem that long ago when I was all teary eyed dropping him off for his first day at primary. Yesterday he went for a taster day to secondary school and came back full of beans.  All excited that he had done a scientific experiment (they were burning Pringles apparently!). Where has my little boy gone??? But as he gets older it becomes more important to work on my child’s street cred.

End Of Christmas Magic?

Someone I know said do your boys still believe in Santa? you want to make sure they know the truth before starting secondary school.

My heart broke a little. Is 11 the age they must give up on magic and prepare themselves for the hard reality of another school? With lots of hustle and bustle and bigger kids.  He is one of the youngest in his class as it is.  It feels too little to be setting off on his next adventure.

What next will soft toys not be needed at bedtime? Will they both be studying the A B to Jay Z book so they have enough credibility with their friends and know everything there is to know about hip-hop?

Am I going to have to think twice about the types of things I buy to make sure they are cool enough. It seems like a proper minefield to navigate and one I am not prepared for.

I thought it was tough when they both weren’t sleeping, now that seems the least of my worries. Will I ever be ready to cut those ties, give them the freedom they desperately crave? I have read a few articles to prepare myself, luckily in some respects we are on the right track.

SHOES

They can both tie their own shoe laces as apparently Velcro is a no no when you start a bigger school.

COATS

Coats are something secondary school children also shy away from, even when its freezing outside I often see the kids minus their coats. For fear of hyperthermia setting in I will go for something lightweight and foldable (maybe branded?) that they MIGHT just wear.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS

As my eldest has got older affection in public has been banned! I am not allowed to hug him if we are in range of other people. I guess I must get used to being the safety net at home but letting him look strong and independent in public.

KNOWING WHAT’S COOL AND WHAT’S NOT

Do you research, see what’s trending, buy the books. It shouldn’t matter but somehow it does. Part of surviving school is fitting in.

Fast forward to my second starting I might feel better prepared to this, at least he will have his older brother there to show him the ropes! I found secondary school tough myself, I wasn’t the coolest kid but luckily I made friends with the right people and muddled through. University I enjoyed more, diversity seems more widely accepted there.