The last week of August always gives me butterflies. Shops are full of pencil cases and lunch boxes, the evenings feel shorter, and back to school preparation suddenly takes over the house. In a few days Eloise will be back through the school gates and I’m trying to juggle uniforms, routines and my own nerves.
This year feels different. She has new teachers, new classmates, and new worries. The uniform situation is also stressing me out. I still don’t even have hers yet because I left things a little late this time. The delivery is due any day, and this weekend will probably be a fashion show of trying everything on, hoping skirts fit and cardigans aren’t too short. She grows so quickly, it feels impossible to keep up. Shoes are another battle altogether. Eloise is already a size 4 in adults shoes, which makes shopping a whole new challenge.
Getting Back into Routine
The holidays have stretched bedtimes, so I’m trying to ease us back into earlier mornings. Moving bedtime a little earlier each night helps, as does planning simple breakfasts that can be grabbed on busy mornings. Overnight oats or breakfast muffins are my go-to when time is tight.
Lunch Boxes
Packed lunches always feel like the mountain to climb once school starts. I’ll share a whole post on lunches and snacks soon, but for now I’ve been chatting with Eloise about what she actually enjoys. She loves the idea of themed days and making it a bit fun, which makes the thought of endless lunch packing slightly less daunting.
Keep an eye out for my post on lunch box planning soon!
The Emotional Side
The questions have started already. Who will be in her class? Will she like her new teacher? Will she find her way around? These worries are so real for children, even if they seem small to us. We’ve been talking about them openly, reminding her that everyone feels nervous at first and that she’s not alone.
Preparing Ourselves Too
It isn’t just the children who need preparing. The first week always feels the hardest for parents too. Between the morning rush, packed lunches, and evening tiredness, it’s a lot to handle. I’ve been trying to meal plan and get organised at home, but I know there will still be chaos.
As I write this, I feel both stressed and ready. Stressed because there’s so much to do and she grows faster than I can shop for, but ready because that’s just what we do as parents. We juggle, we stumble, and we get through it.
So here’s to everyone facing that first week. Good luck to all the parents ironing labels at midnight, all the children finding their courage at the school gates, and to the rest of us just hoping for shoes that actually fit. The first week is always the hardest, but we’ll get there.
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