Oh, The Places You'll Go
It's hard to believe that on Tuesday, our baby will be starting nursery school. As you can imagine I am excited, a little sad and worried.
I am excited that she will be meeting new people and making friends all by herself (just as I and other grown-ups do); a little sad that this phase in our lives will soon be over and worried about how she will cope when I finally have to leave her in the care of the teachers, wonderful though they are.
To take my mind off things, I put together a little board that sums up what her days will be like.
/Images: Sel De Mer jacket by Seasalt; Leather satchel by Myriad; Wellies by Hunter/
I am not a fan of mother-daughter outfits in the slightest but I couldn't resist getting the cheery waterproof jacket (pictured above) even though I have an alarmingly identical one from Aubin & Wills. Paired with the wellies, it will be perfect for her nature walks.
I discovered this lunchbox about a year ago on Weelicious and I freely admit that the clincher for me was seeing the pretty lunches you could create with it.
/Image: Weelicious/
After months of watching Catherine post one delectable lunch box photo after another on Twitter, I finally cracked and ordered one - from The United States Of America. The bag that comes with it is practical and all that but, truth be told, I'd rather it was a weathered leather satchel - preferably with a pouch for a small bottle.
Do tell - what would you add to make a little girl's first day at nursery complete?
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Reader Comments (8)
Oh, Chi, it IS such a bittersweet moment, isn't it? My daughter started preschool this summer and it was all those emotions you mention above. Then, I read somewhere, "Roots and wings" and it struck a chord. As parents, we are here to give our children roots for safety and wings to discover the world; That's our job. Sending you lots of happy thoughts....I will be thinking of you on Tuesday.
PS~The outfit is perfect and the lunch box is adorable!! Hm, maybe add some polka dot leggings from Crew Cuts? :)
Of course I'm not a mum so cannot possibly know what it must feel like.
As T said, kids are on loan and parents are facilitators. Great parents allow their kids to fly the nest while always being their rock and being there in the background.
A good grounding and foundation is the key and no doubt you and M have done a stellar job, so send her out into the world with her gorgeous outfit and lunchbox in the knowledge that she knows what's what but must take her first step into the world without mum and dad.
It's hard but necessary. However painful for you, I know your inner wisdom knows this and is ready!
Enjoy your last weekend with your 'baby'! x
@Theresa: Thanks, honey, for your words of wisdom - so true!
We've chosen a school that does just that so all we have to do is to be brave and trust that we have given her the very best start in life.
Polka dot leggings? You don't have to ask me twice! :D
@Tina: Thank you, darling. You may not be a parent but as I've told you before your maternal instincts are so keen (and you have such a wonderful way with children) that you would have made a great one.
You're so insightful about these things and I truly appreciate/value your input! :) x
Oh! What a big milestone, sending her off to school. She's going to have so much fun and meet so many sweet little friends and learn lots of funny little nursery rhymes and come home all excited to tell you all about her day, I can just see it. I don't have kids of my own, but I remember how emotional I was watching my nieces start school. I felt like I wanted to keep them as wee little babies forever, and they weren't even mine! Haha. It looks like your little one will be well appointed (I'd like everything you picked for her in adult sizes, s'il vous plait). That lunchbox is adorable!
Like Theresa, I'd say something whimsical from J. Crew's kids line or maybe you could even fashion her a little tutu! I think all she'll need is a big hug and kiss though to send her on her way :)
"I don't have kids of my own, but I remember how emotional I was watching my nieces start school. I felt like I wanted to keep them as wee little babies forever, and they weren't even mine! Haha."
I cry when I watch little kids being dropped off for their first day at school - on TV!
The staff have let me know that a quick, cheery goodbye (and a reassurance that I''ll be back) is the best way to make her feel she's embarking on a fun, new adventure filled with lovely, trustworthy people - which she is.
The last thing she needs is me bursting into tears when the time comes! :/
I can do this.
It'll take a whole lot of British stiff upper lip to get me through it but I can do this. :)
P.S. "Like Theresa, I'd say something whimsical from J. Crew's kids line or maybe you could even fashion her a little tutu!"
She'd wear her tutu as "jammas" if she could - don't encourage her! :D x
Ah how sweet and exciting and lovely! Hope she has a wonderful time chi xxxx love her yellow mac x
Thanks, Annie-bee! x
My nervous excitement is really starting to kick in now. :D
I've missed SO much! I need to go and read to find out how it went, but how did it go????? You've done the best stuff for her you know (all that pesky parenting stuff, of course), but really, good outfits make all the difference. When we picked Callum up from his first half day at preschool, it turned out he'd been sobbing the whole time. Not auspicious to start, but it all ended well. Oh, I'm holding you in my heart, dear.