P1 Parenting: The First 3 Weeks of School

And just like that, the first 3 weeks of Lil Pumpkin as a Primary 1 kid flew by!! (★^O^★)

For the first 3 days, we were lucky that her primary school allowed parents into the school to help their kids transition into their new environment with totally new faces and culture. We could go up to their classrooms before class started and see them eat/ buy food at the canteen.

During lesson time, we had to stay at the dedicated parents' corners or could attend some of the free parent education seminars {e.g. Structuring Your Child's Time} to support & encourage us in our new journey with our kids.

I heard that for some schools, parents were not allowed in at all! #toughlove

Lil Pumpkin was really looking forward to primary school starting so even though we had to wake up much earlier than usual, she was not grumpy at all... just kinda confused why we had to wake up in the middle of the night while the sky was still dark haha.

The first week she would jump excitedly out of bed to get ready for school {so different from when she first started preschool haha} but come the second week, I think the excitement kinda died down and she began to have trouble getting out of bed.

There were no tears, just lots of blur, sleepy faces #thestruggleisreal

For me, it was hard adjusting to waking up so early again too but I'd to put on a brave face for Lil Pumpkin and show her that yes!! It can be done!! (◕‿◕✿) After dropping her off in school, I'd usually take a quick nap at the back of the car while the boy sends me to work though haha...

In case you're wondering, so far she hasn't had any homework or tests yet. The school has just been focusing on getting the kids accustomed to their new lifestyle and school rules. Last Friday we were given their English & Chinese spellings lists though and both will start next week {Week 4}.  

I think being in preschool for the past 4 years definitely helped teach Lil Pumpkin to be more independent and attuned to formal school structure. She adjusted much quicker than I expected and has no problem listening to her teachers, following a timetable or staying in school for 6 hours straight.

Actually on the second day of school when she saw me at recess, she told me to go home!! Pffftt... must have thought this mamarazzi was "embarrassing" her #wheredidmybabygo

For the first 2 weeks, P5 pupils were assigned as buddies to the P1 kids. They taught and guided them on how to buy food during recess and brought them around the different parts of the school like the library, teacher staff-room, dental clinic, indoor halls etc.

Lil Pumpkin told me that the best part of her school day was actually to go to recess with her P5 buddies {not sure why but apparently she had 3??!} Aww! I saw her buddies while I was in school for the first few days and they were really sweet to her too.

At first, she wasn't keen on buying food from the canteen and wanted me to prepare obentos for her. However, with the the encouragement from her buddies, she now likes to buy recess food from the canteen {always sushi!!}, even on her own this week, so I just prepare mid-day snacks and lunch obentos for her daily.

She usually eats lunch on the way home in the car since she ends school almost 2pm.

Last Friday we prepared some notes and treats for her buddies to thank them for taking care of her and giving her such a warm welcome to her new school.

After the first weeks of adjustments, this is roughly her weekday school routine:

6.10am Wake Up + Morning Milk
6.15 Get Ready for School
6.35am Leave Home + Breakfast
7.10am Reach School
2pm School Pick-up + Lunch
2.30pm Reach Home
2.45pm Afternoon Nap
4pm Wake Up
4.10pm Afternoon Tea
4.30 - 8pm Revision / Play / Visit daddy's clinic / Enrichment classes etc.
8.10pm Dinner
9pm Shower + Get Ready for School
9.30pm Bedtime Ritual i.e. prep bed, muck around, bed-time story
10pm Sleep

I know Lil Pumpkin sleeps later than a lot of school kids her age but as working parents, we get home late most days {especially the boy} but still want that interaction time with her.

Anyway she still gets her afternoon nap and around 8 hours of sleep at night so should be fully rested each day, even if it's a struggle in the morning. I think it's mainly because we are not morning people, not because she doesn't have enough sleep since she has around 9-10 hours a day! (ヘ。ヘ)

For me as a new P1 parent, I was so glad that I was going back to my alma mater so I wasn't really a noob in the school and could guide Lil Pumpkin and the boy on school tradition, culture and expectations. There were some changes since the time I left school, of course, but a lot of things have remained the same and the familiarity definitely lessened my anxiety on this new journey for all of us.

After 3 weeks, Lil Pumpkin is still very happy to go to school and I can see that her love for school is growing stronger, and stronger each day. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I hear her try to sing our school song!

I hope that at the end when she leaves, she will remember lovingly all the friends she made, crazy fun times at school events, valuable life {not just academic!} lessons and all that she did to lift high the banner of the school ♥

For more of  Lil Pumpkin's Primary School journey:

P1 Registration Experience

School Uniform Shopping @ Bibi & Baba

P1 Orientation Day
First 3 Days of P1
10 Types of Parents in Whatsapp Groups
First Primary School Parent-Teacher Meeting for P1 Sem 1
Short Pixie Bob for School
Ergonomic School Bag Shopping & Tips for Choosing One
JUMPY Plus Kids Smartwatch for School
What's An Appropriate Slumber Party Age for Kids? 
3M LED P1610 Polarizing Task Light to Protect Eyes When Studying
Creative HansVision Chinese Exam E-Dictionary PX2131 Review

For tips on P1 preparation:

Comparison of Popular Maths Enrichment Classes

20 Things to Buy for Kids Entering P1

20 Tips from Other Parents for Kids Entering P1

25 Advice Tips from the School for Kids Entering P1 

20 How to Learn Chinese Tips

 

Good deal to share:

 Discount Code for Agape Babies: One-Stop Shop for Mums & Kids

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