Because my twins O and H have always been incredibly shy, they find the most familiar of settings uncomfortable sometimes.
School has been one of those settings. Considering kids go every day, for a shy child, school can still seem slightly daunting, however familiar they are with it. It's the fear of the unknown... there's bound to be something new happening each day after all, and the fear of being singled out, asked a question or asked to read out loud etc is constantly with them.
O and H are now in Year 2 and 6 yrs old. It's not been an easy ride as they're the youngest in the year group too.... premature August borns. But they have settled in and their confidence is growing all the time, albeit slowly.
Within their comfort zones, with their close group of friends and their regular teachers they're great. They do have each other too to lean on in times of doubt.
Up until the start of year 2, neither of them had been to school without the other. They're in the same class... something I insisted on and had to fight for when they started school initially, and it's worked well. But going to school without their twin just hasn't been an option really, because of the shyness, and because they've always been together. It's a whole other new experience that they just haven't seemed ready for.
It hasn't really mattered though to be honest because during reception and year 1, my boys were pretty much ill at the same time. They had colds together and bugs together... it may have over lapped a day or two when one possibly could've gone in, but at such a young age I was of the opinion that I wouldn't want to cause them pain and stress unnecessarily. They were just about coping with school so I didn't want to upset the apple cart, so to speak, by forcing one of my boys to go into school on his own kicking and screaming.
This year though I made a promise to myself that if one was fit and healthy enough to go to school then he should, even if his brother was off. Year 2 is a big step up academically so I didn't want them to miss school and fall behind, plus I believe they're strong enough to cope now.
Last term I had to put this to the test quite early on.
O and H both picked up quite a bad cold and were off school for a day or two together. H improved but because of his asthma, O was in no way well enough to be in school..... so the day came.
Both myself, the OH and my daughter chatted with H about it the evening before. We explained how he should go to school because he was well and that O needed to stay home because he was ill. We had discussed this anyway over the summer at length, and both boys had agreed they would go in on their own in year 2, but the reality is very different.
However, H was feeling quite positive. Excited even, and this hadn't waned by the the following morning. He ate his breakfast and got dressed, all while I was reassuring him that he would still be doing his normal activities at school, even without O (they sit on different tables anyway and play with other boys in a large group so it's not as if they're glued together).
But when it was time to go, H's mood shifted. The reality kicked it. He said he didn't want to go without O and began to cry.
I reminded myself what a big deal this was for him.
I had to handle it right.
I cuddled and squeezed him tight and tried to make going to school on his own sound fun. Different. Exciting! I suggested that now he's a 'big boy' and doing so well at school, his teachers wouldn't want him to miss any lessons... etc and how great he would feel once he'd done it. I said anything really to encourage.
Just out of the car at school with a renewed excitement.
I could see he was trying to be strong as he slowly climbed into the car looking sad. My heart went out to him. But once we arrived at school he spotted a friend and they ran in together and he didn't bat an eyelid. Yay! I did ask his teacher to keep an eye on him in case he felt a bit 'lost', as this was his very first time at school without his twin.
I felt emotional as I walked back to the car. It was a big deal for me too... a milestone in the lives of my beautiful boys. I had concerns... what if H was on his own at lunchtime and on the playground? I had visions of him hiding in the corner somewhere, desperately missing his brother.
I fretted all day. O even had a little cry at lunch time when we were discussing what H would be doing at that moment.
I literally couldn't wait to pick him up.
I needn't have worried though. H came running out of his classroom absolutely beaming and full of himself! He'd had a great day and couldn't wait to tell me all about it. It was wonderful, I felt so happy for him.
H had realised that he could do it. He could go to school on his own and it was absolutely fine. I'm sure it gave him a whole new sense of belief in himself, that he could do anything!
Proud just isn't the word. Bless my little boy.
One down, one to go!
Then just before Christmas, the tables turned and this time it was H that was unwell. That meant that it was O's turn to go to school by himself.
O struggles more with his self confidence than H. Even though they're similar, H has always been that little bit easier to manipulate. O is very, VERY stubborn. When it came to talking him round to going to school without H for the first time, I knew it wasn't going to be quite as straightforward.
He didn't want to go. He was absolutely defiant. He wanted to be with H and stay home. He told me in no uncertain terms that he wouldn't go. I could see the worry on his face.
I didn't want to insist, I felt sorry for him because to me, he's so small and vulnerable. I kept reminding him that he really HAD to go. I knew he needed to do this now for his own development and growth as an individual. No excuses. It would be good for him. He was acutely aware that H had 'done it' already, which helped, but it still took quite a lot of coaxing to get him dressed and into the car on the day.
I had to resort to "Mummy will get in trouble if I don't take you to school" tactics in the end when he wouldn't budge. At last though, he seemed to concede. I must admit I felt a bit evil (for want of a better word)... all sorts of emotions were going through my mind. I was angry at the 'system' momentarily, for making me HAVE to take my child to school when all he wanted was to stay at home with Mummy and his twin brother. Not fair.
He was reluctant to get out of the car. I was hoping and praying I wouldn't have to take him in crying, that would've been the worst, but eventually he did get out and went into his classroom without any tears.
It was me who choked back tears.
O not looking so sure.
Again I fretted all day but again, like H, when I picked him up, O was very happy, probably not AS happy as H was, but he'd had a great day and I could see how chuffed he was with himself which made my heart melt. He too could go to school on his own now. Although he did say he wanted H to go with him tomorrow!
They did it! Hooray!
I cannot express how delighted I am that both boys have achieved this big milestone in their little lives.
I'm also pleased with myself that I waited until now to do it. There was no rush and had I done it when they weren't ready, it could've caused them long term distress which I was not going to risk. No way.
They were ready this time.
Big boys now.... and I'm so very proud of them x
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