Today was and still is Eloïse’s first day at basisschool, primary school.
The worst thing about this new phase of her life, from my point of view, at least, is the need to set a 07:00 alarm. I haven’t needed to do that on a regular basis since, well, many years ago. Frankly, I’d be perfectly happy to remain blissfully ignorant of the existence of 07:00 for the rest of my life.
But back to the girl who this is ostensibly about.
She was well prepared and very excited about going. In fact, she asked on Monday if she could go that day, but we told her she had to wait a couple more days.
Well, the reality of the first day is something you can never fully prepare them for. We were ten minutes early, at 08:20, in order to give Eloïse time to get used to her new surroundings before the official start of school. She took a seat and held our hand as other children, some also new, found their seats and received reassurance from their parents.
Yvette proceeded with a gentle start to the day and in no time it was time to say our farewell for the day.
I’d like to be able to say that she was merely hesitant, not tearful, but we did have a few tears. Sarah had to stay for a few minutes after the other parents, myself included, had left the room, in order to calm her.
After some reasoning and negotiating, Eloïse went over to Yvette and sat on her lap. As we biked off, one of the other mothers reported that Eloïse was now playing and not crying, so that’s a good sign.
We pick her up again at 13:05 and, needless to say, we’re very curious how it will have gone.
As we arrived by bike this morning, I was struck by the sight of so many children arriving for school. It made me recall my own schooldays. I can only imagine what is going on in the mind of my four year old daughter right now, on her first day at a new school, surrounded by so many new and unfamiliar people and things.
Fingers crossed for 13:05.