Leo started play school today. I can’t believe the time has come for my baby boy to fly the nest. Well, not really, but that’s how it feels! Oli and I have been debating the idea of Leo starting play school for a few months now and as he is now two and half, we decided now is as good a time as any. Leo has been asking to go to school for quite a while, he has older cousins who go and every time we stroll past the local primary school he always asks excitedly if he can go in.
So last week I visited a few different play schools, sent out some emails and studied several different websites for local groups. After 2 visits I decided the one just a 5 minute walk from our house seemed the nicest and definitely the most convenient. Leo really liked it there and after out visits he was asking when he could go back again, I am pretty sure we have definitely found the one.
This morning went really well. There were a few moments when I thought Leo was going to go off the idea of play school when I told him I couldn’t stay with him but he soon got over it. Getting out of the house for 8.50 was a bit of a struggle as we are normally still in our pjs until gone 9 but we did.
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| Ready to go! |
I dropped Leo off and after a quick chat with the staff, I said bye to Leo who didn’t so much as bat an eyelid after discovering all the toys at his disposal and the deputy manager basically told me to go home and not to worry, she would ring if they needed me.
So, I walked out of the play school with a strange new sense of freedom this morning, slightly over shadowed by the sad realisation that my baby boy is growing up. It was an odd feeling. For the past two and half years Leo and I have spent pretty much every single day together. He has never been to nursery and never been left with a child minder. He has had the odd sleepover at his grandparent’s house but he has never been left with people he doesn’t know. I think this is something that bothers me more than him as he happily said hello to all his ‘teachers’ this morning. I just worry what will happen if he has a tantrum or suddenly realises I’m not there? He has been gone for 2 hours already and I have had no phone calls so I am taking that as a good sign and that all is well.
You may be wondering what I have been doing with my new found freedom? Well, I have done 20 minutes on the exercise bike, caught up on Sports Relief Bake Off (no idea how I managed to miss this when it was on live!), hoovered, cleaned and had a shower with a duration 3 times that of a normal day. It is surprising how quick the time has gone actually. There is so much I could be doing with these 3 hours all to myself a week. I could write and schedule all my blog posts for the week, go swimming, do the food shop, clean the whole house or maybe go for a browse around the shops without having the squeeze a buggy in and out all the aisles.
If I am honest, I am enjoying a bit of me time but I keep thinking about Leo. I can’t stop wondering how he’s getting on, if he is ok without me or if he has been behaving or not. I am sure as the weeks go on and we both get settled in to this new routine my Thursday mornings alone will feel a lot more relaxed and not so tense!
Deep down I know he is fine. The play school is over flowing with exciting new toys to play with, crafts to make, books to read and children to play with. My boy is not shy at all so I am sure he is in his element. The house is weirdly quiet without him, I can’t wait for 12 o clock so I can pick him up and he can tell me all about his morning. Hopefully I will be greeted with a lovely big hug and smiles from Leo and words of positivity and praise from the staff, fingers crossed.
Only 45 minutes to go!
Does your little one go to play school or any other childcare? How did you feel that first morning without them? What do you do when you have a few hours to yourself?
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Wow the start of a new chapter. Yes my daughter goes off to nursery and a childminder while I'm busy with my freelance writing! It's always nerve wracking at first! Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub lovely x
I was definitely more teary and emotional than any of my children on their first day! I must admit after I dried my tears, I did enjoy my me too, top of my list was, would you believe it, grocery shopping!? I hate going to the shops with my then toddler as he would demand a chocolate, a donut, a toy, a whatever! #FamilyFun
I always find the time flies when they're at nursery – one minute it's 9am and the next it's 11.45am! #picknmix
Such a big milestone! Marianna's not old enough yet but I think I will probably cry when she starts – even if I know I'll enjoy the free tine. 🙂 x #KCACOLS
Aww so adorable! My son goes to day care twice a week and that was so hard for me! He loves it though #KCACOLS
kaylaloves.com
Awww he looks so cute and ready for his day. I am dreading this day with youngest but also looking forward to it, a little. I think it is harder for us Mummies, they just love it, i'm sure. Enjoy having a few hours to yourself 🙂 #KCACOLS
I'm so glad he went in well! I've seen so many children struggle but you know they're fine after the first three minutes or less of you walking out the door. I remember my daughter was 2 when she first attended a nursery and went for 11 hours a week every week except Christmas and it was the best thing. I had a couple of hours on a Monday & a Wednesday and a whole Friday afternoon to catch up on me time, see friends without a push chair, have a nap…it was great! Now she's in school and I work at home and the days go by so fast! #kcacols
Enjoy the time! He will be having a whale of a time, no doubt. Good to hear he went off so happily. 🙂
x Alice
#kcacols
Oh bless you, it's a weird feeling when they first go to playgroup or nursery isn't it?! My boys are 10 and almost 12 now, so I've just about gotten used to having time to myself 😉
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Aww – hope he had a good time! Neither of mine have gone yet, but eldest will hopefully start nursery school in Sept in preparation for school the next year (I say hopefully as if we move we may no longer be near a nursery school!). It will be really strange to have either of them not here for a few hours. #KCACOLS
It was a very weird 3 hours I must say. I was much more relaxed when he went this week, he loves it so I didn't need to worry at all xx
That's exactly the same as me, Leo couldn't care less that I was leaving him but I felt so sad haha. I did my food shop when he went this week, it's so much easier without a little person demanding things isn't it?!xx
Thanks, I'm sure once I get used to not having around one morning a week I will be loving my me time. Thanks for hosting xx
I know,I couldn't believe how quick the time went xx
Aww, it is surprisingly emotional. I managed to hold back the tears..just 🙂 xx
It is hard, I think it just takes some getting used to. I'm glad he enjoys it xx
Sienna started nursery a month ago. She settled very well and very quickly so the decided to do just one week and start all her hours in the second week. She then wasn't that happpy and also got all the bugs from the nursery so she had at least 3 to 4 weeks crying at drop and pick up times. But just recently she is just so happy and she never cries. She has a great time there and I can get things done so it is a win win situation for us. Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I would love to see you again on Sunday! 🙂 x
Aww thanks. Yes I was dreading it a bit too but now he's been going for a few weeks I've got used to it. He absolutely loves going so that makes it easier xx
Yes, the free time is lovely isn't it? The 3 hours he is gone fly by, I only just have enough time to get everything done xx
He loves it there. Now he's been going a for a few weeks I am definitely starting to enjoy my me time a bit more xx
It is weird but slowly getting used to it. Leo loves going so that has made it all so much easier. Haha, I bet you are totally used to it now yours are older xx
He had a great time thanks. It is such an odd feeling when he's not in the house, it's too quiet!I hope your little one settles well when she starts in September.xx
Aww bless, I guess it was a big change when she started doing more hours in the second week. I'm glad to here she has settled in happily now xx