High School – the first three days

by Seana Smith on Friday, January 29th, 2010

Well, we made it, and yes, I did cry.   Tears trickled as I dropped my son Tom off  and when we new parents listened to the teachers talking at our first general parents’ meeting.

It all really took me back to Tom’s very first day at school seven years ago, but my emotions were totally different.  Then it was anxiety and hope and concern and relief all in a big teary mess.   This time was pride and gratitude most of all.  I’m so proud of my son, and so grateful to his teachers for sharing the pleasures and pains of his care as he grows up to be a man.

And when I say that WE made it… well, it was a joint effort… and we parents did talk about how we felt like new boys and girls too.    A big job for me is to make friends with other parents, to be aware of who is who and to be able to support Tom very much as he begins to make friends with other boys.  This will be much trickier than at primary school, but I know that I can help him a lot, explain his oddities to both parents and children.

I must also help my son to get the right bags, books and clothes to the right place at the right time… it’s no little matter when geting all four children ready for school and preschool in the morning!   Tom will be terribly anxious if he misses anything so I need to keep my wits about me as we do this.. and I don’t find the whole thing easy at all.

Tom’s a very social boy, and indeed rather over-social sometimes.  The social aspect of school isn’t going to be the biggest issue though, it’s the academics.  Tom has serious learning difficulties and a language disorder.  His teachers should be well briefed that Tom needs to have a modified curriculum, which I imagine is quite a burden for them.   Tom (and I!) are quite blithe about his learning issues, but I do fear that one day he may be more aware of his differences and then will need lots of support.

Anyway, this is the start… I am so glad to have found a school which is very welcoming to our family and where the lines of communication seem to be strong.  In fact I am just off to a meeting with his teachers now.   Must dash, but one final thought….

Tom’s first day at high school reminded me also of my first day at high school way back last century… especially in the immediate crush on the head boy… haven’t I matured at all in the last 29 years??!!