This week I have felt like a school mum. I’ve played the role of a school mum, I have been present on the playground, I have been present at the breakfast table, I’ve spoken to the teachers. It is just one of the roles I play since becoming a mummy. On Wednesday and Friday morning I took our boy to school both days, and on Wednesday I even managed to pick him up. For those who don’t know me this is big, its huge and something that has filled my mummy heart all week long.
I know I am gushing over something so simple as the school run but honestly it means so much to me. I usually only get to escort our gorgeous boy to school one day a week which is a Friday, so to be the one to take him two days in the one week has been a real treat. It was lovely just enjoying the before and after school routine with my boy, seeing his little face as he came out of the classroom, watching him interact with his friends on the playground and the cuddle he gave me on finding me through the sea of parents and grandparents.
These are the moments I miss, the ones that often create the biggest of memories. If truth be told it isn’t all about the actual school run, it’s about the time we are spending together. I love this time with my little man, we practise his spellings and reading, we talk about the day ahead, the day before. We chat, we spend our minutes in the car planning our next big adventure or even what we are buying daddy as a present for his birthday. There’s no rushing about, dashing out of the house before he’s woken, everything is taken at a much slower pace than the rest of the week. It feels so nice to be there.
I’m often left feeling saddened, when I see posts on social media of folk complaining about the school run, the school holidays, whether its raining or freezing cold. I just don’t get it. Before half term people are willing the holidays to begin and by day three they want them gone. It saddens me that people complain about something that I feel should be treasured. I would give anything to spend each day or holiday with our gorgeous boy, I make the choice to work full-time, well really it is something I have to do – but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss the time I could spend with our gorgeous boy. It really is so bittersweet, the pull you feel as a parent just gets worse as they get older.
Being a school mum can be hard. And then there is the feeling like I am in the minority, only being there one day a week, the parent rushing off the playground, that feeling that others are looking at me judging as I run back to the car after seeing our gorgeous boy walk through those double breasted doors. No conversation, no small talk, I feel so isolated as I watch the other mummy’s in their little groups head off to enjoy a coffee. And hopefully a piece of cake. Often excluded from play dates as I work full-time.
It really is the little things that make you smile. We have to hold on to these moments, they are to be treasured. Whether its holding his hand as we walk through the school gates or waiting for him as he walks out of the classroom door these are the moments I will hold on to when I am feeling sad.
I have to think back to the first few months of school, they were so much harder. He was in a before and after school club, really long days away from us as neither of us had any flexibility. Those are the days I never want to go back to. I am thankful for Mr H having a flexible work pattern. I need to remember that even though I am not the one who gets to take him to school we do have the perfect balance for him, our boy is happy and that is what is important. Being a school mum can be hard. The guilt will continue to creep in but for now I have to keep batting it away, our gorgeous little boy is happy.
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
It’s something I take for granted as I take my boy every day and pick him up too. I know I should probably appreciate it more xx
I think a lot of people do don’t they, but only because that’s your reality and this is my reality I guess. I just think there will be a day when he won’t hold my hand or want/need me to walk him to school x
Funnily enough I wrote about almost exactly the same thing a few weeks ago – the school runs are so precious to me!
Oh really, I’m glad I am not the only one who feels this way Colette
Oh lovely, I am with you on being the working school mum. I am so worried as to how we will all cope come September. I love that you got a bonus day with him last week as well as the usual Friday. My company will hopefully be offering flexitime come Sept so I will be able to do either the drop off or collection…here’s hoping it comes through anyhow! x #TheOrdinaryMoments
Aww I won’t lie my love, its a difficult balance and the guilt most certainly creeps in. I would definitely hope that you do get the flexibility x
The school run is the maddest part of my life, but I do look forward to picking them up. My kids actually asked if they could go to school club and me stopping picking them up?? They think theyre missing out!!!! So glad you can find the joy in these lovely moments that will pass by so quickly x #ordinarymoments
Oh really, is it? I guess that having one child can make such a difference to the stress levels on the school run. Aww see we had the opposite and G asked for months to come out of after school clubs. I think we all should find the joy in these little moments as they just don’t last forever x
I live for the school holidays and feel just so lucky that I get to do the school run each day. I feel it’s a privilege and something I will never take for granted. I loved this post and I am sure Lil G loves you being there at school as much as you love being there x
I live for my holidays too Donna, I won’t lie I wish I could mirror the school holidays but sadly it wasn’t meant to be that way. Thank you for reading and sharing my love x
I don’t take the school run for granted but I do like the holidays when we don’t have to rush out the house each morning, I hate the rushing around but when we are actually out the door I love it. I love being able to be at the school door morning and afternoon and I know I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do it. Lucas barely talks to me on the walk to and from school as he plays his imaginary games instead, haha, still I’m glad to be there and it forces us all to go for a walk and clear our heads twice a day. It’s so nice that you do get the chance to be the mum at the school gates once a week and that it means so much for you, things are different for everyone and finding something that works for you is the most important thing xx
Oh yes I am looking forward to not having to rush out of the door on Friday when I am off with George. I think you are absolutely right honey, its about making the most of the situation you are in, I was spoiled last week which brought all the feelings to the top. x
Ahh it’s so lovely reading this hunny. It really is so special if you get that extra time with your little one before they aren’t with us all day during the week. It was hard for me to let someone else have my child that long for so many days in row but it’s life and we have to let them fly. You write so beautifully from the heart #ordinarymoments
I absolutely live for the school holidays, I would always prefer her to be with me but I must admit I hate the school run. I love seeing her face come and greet me as she leaves the classroom but I just hate the actual school run itself. Not cause I don’t appreciate being there to pick her up and drop her off, cause I do, I am very grateful, but because our school is a car drive away and when I take LL to nursery it is over an hours drive every morning and afternoon to get there as it is in the completely opposite direction to school. I just bloody hate it! xx
I really hate the school run, but that is not because I am willing it away or anything but really because I love the time together and don’t want to share her at all! I think these days though there are so many variations of mums, dads, grandparents who do the school run with working full time, part time, from home or stay home, it’s impossible to judge from a few moments in the playground so I am sure no one is thinking that of you at all xx
I dread school. My little boy is due to start next September and that makes my heart ache 🙁 This image is lovely!!
Oh do you, I was nervous but actually something I didn’t need to be so nervous about x
I absolutely love the school run and it’s one of things I’ll miss the most going back to work. I love chatting to the other mums and it has really helped to make a few new mum friends. I’m so glad I will still be able to do it 2 days a week, I love hearing about O’s day at home time and he loves showing off his little brother in the mornings, queueing to go in! xx