I busted my ankle. Frankly what a shocker but every cloud is lined with silver. This (painful) downtime has allowed me to reflect on the seven years of primary (junior) school that is coming to an end.

I’ve been thinking about my involvement in the school life – from the school board to the playground antics – and how over that time there has been some real hot highs with the Tween and gut wrenching lows.

The beginning of life at school with so much learning and stretching – the desire to read so he could work out what our local graffiti artists were writing across our laneways (some classy stuff for sure!) – through to the top end of school frustrations at having to re-do work that the teacher rightfully said was “not good enough”.

The Tween has always had a fractious relationship with the Principal – a mutual feeling I think! – that I believe has been healthy in allowing him to work through the dynamics that as adults we deal with so frequently. By figuring out for himself, the Tween has developed a healthy attitude to responsibility for the good things and the times that he makes the wrong decisions –”the consequences of actions”.

As we enter the countdown of the last weeks of school, its been a challenge to keep up the motivation of learning and purpose. I so get it! I grew out of my primary school a whole year before secondary, which lead to frustrations and boredom.

For our Tween, he see’s the glitter of his new school – the gold tassels and bling of a bigger environment, new friends, on-site swimming pools, space, sport, language… and on it goes. There is no way the interest of primary school can keep up with that!

However until that final school bell at 1pm on Wednesday 17 December (which co-insides with Coco the Corgis – the Tweens dog – first birthday. What a birthday present for Coco!) it’s vital to keep him connected to the remaining days.

The main focus for us has been responsibility. Whilst he gets himself to and from school, we have looked to extend that into other areas; including coming up with ideas of how he will get to his new school next year (which will involve travelling in part with his younger brother).

And really, I would simply like the Tween to savour the moment – be present in the excitement of today.

All love

Jessica

19 November 2014

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