Busybird Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 DS1 is at his new secondary school this week - they do a 'turnaround' week at the end of the summer term where all the kids move up a year and follow their new timetables for the next academic year so that they know what to expect in September. Instead of leaving the house at 8.30am to walk to the village school he left at 7.15am to catch the public bus to town and walk out to the school (a bit over a mile away). I will now spend the day imagining him not crossing busy roads safely, taking a wrong turn and getting lost and missing his stop on the way home and ending up in Swindon... He went in with DD who started at this school last year and has spent the weekend sharing her knowledge with him I have told her to show him where to go but I know what she is like when she meets up with her friends and a little brother is not going to be wanted. I have done the walk with him myself and driven the route with him several times but I'm not convinced he was concentrating fully Meanwhile DS2 had to start getting used to walking to school on his own. Roll on Friday when we pack the tent for a few days camping in the New Forest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 It is difficult isn't it? My DD starts her senior school in September and they have had 2 open days which she couldn't go to because her junior school had taken them on an adventure week. I know she'll be fine when she starts but she hasn't met her tutor or any of her tutor group. They do have the first day to themselves where the tutor walks them round the school and they start lessons in the afternoon. I'm lucky in the fact that it is quite close and she doesn't have to leave the house at 7.15 I have struggled with letting her go places on her own (only local!) because I feel she isn't particularly street-wise. Aaaargh! No-one said this was easy!!! Enjoy your camping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Hi Busybird! Why not build up you confidence in him and his own confidence by getting him to go into a nearby town by bus with a little distant supervision over the holidays. It doesn't take long to get street wise and to get good a problem solving. I agree that the road crossing thing is a worry. My ES who is 15 is probably the worst at crossing roads. They do think that they are indestructable and as we live in a tiny village they don't get much practise at busy road crossing. Isn't life fun being a parent. We lurch from one worry to another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Be warned - it gets worse! My DD is 29 and about to go off to Africa for 5 weeks with her boyfriend! Not just staying in one place, but driving around. My imagination is running riot! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I am such a worrier - I'm like my mum I have been giving DD more responsibility and she has been fine and loved every minute of it! It's me that struggles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Be warned - it gets worse! My DD is 29 and about to go off to Africa for 5 weeks with her boyfriend! Not just staying in one place, but driving around. My imagination is running riot! Tricia Oh help! It doesn't get any easier then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I don't have children, but I can always remember going into work some years ago, and finding a colleague standing by the coffee machine looking worried. She confessed that she'd dropped her sons at the bus station on her way to work as usual, and then watched as they got on the WRONG bus! She drove away and left them to it, because she said they needed to learn both which bus to get, and also how to get themselves out of the problem! I thought that showed immense courage and common sense on her part, it can't have been easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 My friend's son did a taster day at his new secondary school last week and apparently cried the whole day. It was all too big and daunting, mind you he is an over sensitive child!! Busybird - hope DS1 has a fab week. I'm sure he won't get lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Having spent the day immersed in the dust and mess of the playroom (well, it made the time pass quickly ) my DS1 arrived home safely along with DD who looked very pleased with herself. She had waited for him after school to make sure he knew the way back They both seemed happy with their new regime and I shall worry less about him getting lost tomorrow. Patricia W - I did a tour of Africa with a boyfriend when I was 22. We hitched from place to place (my mum would have had a fit ) and had a fantastic time. I must try to remember that I was reasonably capable when my lot get to that age... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 My DD age 11 and DS 9yrs are off to new schools in September. I have arranged a three way car share for the first term then they'll have to get the train and the metro to school!!! I worry about it already. Do mothers ever stop worrying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I'm a bit worried about YS going to senior school because there are a couple of big busy roads to cross. I think he'd be fine doing it on his own but its when he's walking with friends, he might take a chance that he wouldn't necessarily take on his own. He's currently practising doing a tie, he's been at it all afternoon, every 5 minutes or so he keeps showing me yet another well done knot bless! Typical I missed the M & S 3 for 2 offer on the trousers and shirts. I knew I should have got them last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 NO Ask mine .... and I'm 58 My daughter is 23, more capable than I ever was at that age, excellent uni degree and now at drama school. She lives a vampire-like existence; up most of the night and sleeping well into the day. Every time I imagine the worst she is there all bright and bubbly. I look forward to the time when SHE worries about ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
