And the Tears Continue...

Day Two of Grade 1 for my "wee yun" and she made it clear she did NOT want to go back to school because "they made her do homework on the FIRST day!". 

Oh the degradation!  How dare they make her colour in a picture for homework on her first day!

After Day 1, I guess she figured in her head that "big school" was not for her, because this morning she declared that she doesn't want to go back.

We got to school and she was very quiet and withdrawn.  It look an eternity for the bell to eventually ring and by then her lip was quivering and she was clutching my leg!  I tried to be brave for her, but I could see she was not happy at all.  I tried to keep things light - she was having none of it.  She was going to cry!

I thought to myself "Oh Kaylin, please don't cry or you're gonna make me bubble too".  My eyes were already leaking.

Kaylin clearly is not a mind-reader, because with my silent request, she burst into tears as we walked into her classroom.  The fact that all the kids at her table were asking why she was crying, did not help either. 

My heart broke into piece then and there.

I wanted to just pick her teeny weeny wee body up, walk out of there and just cuddle with her all day....

That's what my heart told me.

My head told me to be strong, for Kaylin's sake, kiss her goodbye, tell her that I love her and that I'd see her after school.

I managed to make it around the corner from her class, then I burst into tears.

Thank Fuck I had my mirror sunglasses on that I could hide behind.

I phoned my Best Friend - my Hubby - and sobbed into the phone.

I cried all the way to work.  Another bare-faced and blotchy face worn to work.  They'll have to get used to it for a while, until my wee lassies settles at school.

I'm taking it one day at  a time.

I spoke to her today about MY first day at school (I remember it clearly like it was yesterday).  I told her how scared I was because I didn't know anyone, I didn't know what to expect.  It turned out that my teacher didn't like gingers and took an instant dislike to me. 

I told Kaylin that I battled to make friends at first and to fit it.  It brought back so many emotions and I started to cry again.  I really didn't want her to see me being so emotional, but it seemed to strike something with her because immediately she gave me a hug and she asked me "you were little once too, hey Mum?". 

I suppose she thinks that, as an adult, we have everything under control  Our kids need to be reminded that we were little once too, that went through most of the things they go through at one stage or another.  Kaylin saw the emotion in my face and said "How did you make friends?". 

I told her the story of a wee lassie who sat next to me in Grade 1, who asked me why I cried so much.  I remember telling her that I was scared and that I didn't know anyone.

Jennifer asked me if I wanted to play.  She reach out, took my hand and we did just that. 

Simple as that.

It wasn't that simple for me.

After sharing my story, Kaylin said that she'd be brave and go to school the next day.  She said that she'll put her arm around Michael and ask him if  wants to play with her.

I'm still not sure that showing my emotions was the right thing.

I just know that I dont' have all the answers.

Hopefully with time, things will get better and she'll eventually find her space and comfort zone in Grade 1.  It will just take time.

In the meantime, my heart will break each day for her, because I remember so clearly how scarey it all was and what it felt like.

New Sex School opens in Austria

The Austrian International School of Sex is now open!

The opening was announced by the headmistress of the school, Ylva Maria Thompson. The vision of the school, according to Thompson, is to teach people how to be better lovers. She goes on to say that people spend time and money on training their mind, muscles, and fitness, but do not spend enough effort on developing their love-making skills. This is precisely what the sex school hopes to address.
Curious to know more? Well, all we know for now is that the school plans to provide theoretical and practical training.  Theory I hear you say?  Och aye...courses such as the history of sex and modern sexual theory will be taught. A major truck load of the course, however, will be ‘hands-on’.

An entire semseter at the school consists of five full-term and three special intensive courses. The cost for a semester is €1,400 which is roughly $1,850 or R14 000.  Can you say WTF?  The first batch is due to start this month and the class has already been filled up.  Register HERE. 

According to the school’s website, classes will take place at an 18^th century mansion - sexy - which is about a half-hour drive from Vienna. The mansion has been redecorated to suit the needs of the school and is equipped with high-tech teaching rooms.  I bet you they'll have one or two sex chairs hidden in a candlelit corner. 

Prospective pupils can breathe an orgasmic sigh of relief, because unlike most other learning institutions, the newly established Austrian International Sex School in Vienna plans to keep their curriculum applied, instead of academic.

"Our core education is not theoretical, but very practical. The emphasis is on how to be a better lover", declared the school head, adding that “sexual positions, caressing techniques, anatomical features” will all form part of the course syllabus.

So how does one get in?

• You have to be 16 and over.
• You have to be rich.
• You have to be prepared to live in a co-ed dormitory, where naturally, you will be required to practice your ‘homework’.

Visit their Facebook Page HERE

First Day at School - Grade One

Megan started Grade One at Primary School this morning.  She was so sooper excited to get there!  When we got out the car she spotted the Scholar Patrol and asked all about their job.  She asked if they stay there all day.  I told her that they are also Learners at the school and only there until the bell rings for school to start to help the children cross the road safely.  Man, was she impressed with them.  They had their bright reflective bibs and controlled their stop signs with whistle blows.  She was already sussing out the things she could get involved with at the school and she hadn't even gotten to class yet!

Megan took me straight to her classroom (the only one upstairs) and pointed out things along the way.  The kids listen better than the parents do.

She immediately went her table with her name on, put her bag down, put her chair bag on her chair and packed out all her things.  She said hello to her Teacher and smiled from ear to ear.  There was a little boy sitting next to her at her table and he was clearly not impressed and very upset.  She just checked him out with raised eyebrows and carried on sorting through her things.  My little independent girl.

I took some photos of her in her classroom then she said "Enough pictures, mummy.  You can go now".  We kissed goodbye, I reminded her about the after-care and that they will come and fetch her.  She said "I know, Mum".  At that point it was clear it was my cue to 'exit stage left'

I waved to her through the window and felt a lump grow in my throat.

I sucked it in until I got to the car, I lit up a fag and burst into tears.  I cried all the way to work and when my cell phone rang and it was My Boerewors, I could hardly talk to him, I was bubbling so much.  He said she's settled in fine,  you should be happy.  I said "I am happy!" though lots of tears, snot and gruff voice.  He laughed at me.

The minute I talk to anyone about it at work, I get emotional.  Gosh, I seem to be a blithering idiot.

My baby is finally out in the big wide world and she'll do great.  She's so eager to please and confident in herself.  She couldn't have smiled wider.

Eager Beaver!

Perhaps she wouldn't smile so wide if I told her she has 12 years of school ahead of her!  and thats not including teritary studies and varsity...

One step at a time, Mummy.

Breathe!

Relax!

Have a cuppa...she'll be fine without you.

Megan at her table

The three girls

Megan in her classroom

Waiting at the gate to go...

Megan and her massive school bag

(luckily its on wheels)

My three favourite peeps

Megan's new heros : The Schola Patrol