daniel’s first day at “big school”
September 11, 2017Sigh. I dreaded this day but it had to come as the life clock never stops ticking.
“Dear Vivy, we are pleased to inform you that your precious little firstborn hero genius of the world most handsome wonderful boy who loves his Mommy more than Daddy, Daniel Azim Shah, has been accepted for admission into our school for Academic Year Reception. His first day of school will be this Monday. We would like to welcome Daniel Azim Shah and congratulate him on his admission. We welcome him to adulthood where he will no longer require the love of his mother.”
Ok the words may or may not have been exaggerated, but still I needed Kleenex. First of all, I gave birth to him 5 minutes ago and the ticking clock is just rude. Second of all, I am feeling the “old” genes kicking in because I have a son who is going to “big school” now. Thirdly, they attached a whole list of things I need to buy to prepare Daniel for “big school” and I realise how unprepared I was.
Ok, first and foremost I needed to breathe. It’s just school. It’s just the first day of school which is the day that marks a historical moment in his life, a day of first impressions, and a day that his friends and teachers will remember him by forever. Just that day, no biggie. I mean, I remember when I went into Std 1 – a boy named S pooed in his pants and no one wanted to be his friend and I’m pretty sure he’s single until today. What if Daniel turned into S because 6-year-old me once laughed at S and karma is a pain?
Ok ok negative thoughts aside. Let’s go through the checklist, I told myself. Stationery, check, bought a whole bucket of pens and pencils for Daniel. Uniforms, check, went to the school mart early to buy. Books, check, even bought extra to show I’m a good Asian mom. School shoes, check, bought 3 pairs to be prepared. *pats self on back* Oh crap, white socks, forgot. Oh crap, do I have to wrap the school books? Nahhh no one does that anymore right? That’s too try-hard as a parent, please.
Ok, the last on the list was the school bag. Obviously his giraffe bag (as adorable as it was, bless that giraffe) cannot make it to “big school”. We don’t want Daniel to be laughed at, now do we? It’s obviously got to be some hunky Ultraman Spiderman kind of bag no? We went to the stationery store Smiggles that sold everything related to school. Ok school bag, school bag, school bag… hmm one with roller wheels or not? Of course not, roller wheels are lameeee, as if the kids aren’t macho enough to carry their own bag. Wheeling your bag to school will get you bullied in the cafeteria. For sure! I mean, this is school, not the airport! Ok, Daniel choose one of those normal backpacks please? Done. Got a nice blue one with weird stuff on them. Perfect for school.
All prepared!
“Today is going to be great, you are going to be the best, we are going to have a great first day,” I told myself as I looked into the mirror. “You are a fabulous mother, your kid is going to be amazing on his first day,” I continued as I put my make up on and smiled.
Fast forward half hour.
There Daniel was, crying and screaming clutching my thigh and tugging on my scarf. “No, I don’t want big school, Mommy. No Mommy don’t go, Mommy.” While I smiled at other parents looking at me. Greatttttt first impression, Daniel, just great. He cried and cried until I left. I would put his photo here, but he will hate me when he grows up, so I won’t.
Haha just kidding.
Of course I will.
I’m sorry your mom is a blogger, Daniel, I really am hehe.
I hid outside of the class with the other moms. I smiled at them, and they smiled back and carried on with their conversation. “Omg, did you get Mr Andrew as your tutor?” “Oh yes, their break time is at 10 o’clock.” “Of course I’ve prepared sandwiches!” “They have their swimming class on Thursday.” “Ahhh yes, of course I have their timetable already, I’ll share that with you on the parent platform.” What, The. Fruit. Are. They. Talking. About. I smiled at them again, they smiled back. I grabbed that folded piece of paper from my bag with the welcome message from the school, unwrapped it slowly and read it again to see if I missed anything. I even turned to the back. Nothing there! Hmmm… these moms are amazing, they know everything. I better stand closer and eavesdrop some more. My cheeks didn’t need any blusher I’m sure I was red, feeling so shy that I didn’t know so many things!
I looked at the back of the class where all the bags are lined up.
And there it was, the proof of my failure as a mom. There was Daniel’s very cool big boy backpack. In the middle of a whole row of other school bags…. with roller wheels. ALL OF THEM. Daniel was the ONLY ONE whose bag was different. Oh my god, this lady made her child actually carry the bag on his shoulders! What a terrible mom she is! Ooohhh her bag and shoes are nice though, but terrible mom, I imagine them whispering to each other.
I swear. I swear there’s a forum chat thing that I don’t know about.
“What’s wrong?” Fadza asked as I walked back into the car.
“We gotta go back to that Smiggles shop now. We’re horrible parents, that’s what’s wrong,” as I buckle up my seatbelt grumpily.
Oh, any by the way, all the moms wrapped the school books.
Out of my way, please, I need to go find those transparent book wrapper thingies. And cellotape. And a person who can wrap books.
But Daniel endured it well yeay! He’ll do well in big school, pretty sure! And don’t worry, V, just chin up! Fadza and you are doing so great as parents! I’m sure every parent feels that way sometimes, but that way, every parent grows to be better. Like the Kardashian said, “You’re doing amazing, Sweetie!” 😉
I believe Daniel will do good, mommy. Time sure flies, isnt it?
Hi Vy, it’s ok not getting the wheel bag. N on the book wrap, if u go to local stationery store, they have the instant one specific for exercize books and for the text book they have the one that something like stickers so no selotape needed. I’ll dm u in ig on how it looks like. Easy peasy n less mess… hope this help…
Daniel is a big boy now..time flies and sure moments life scars. I can help with book wrapping 🙋🏻
OMG hahah so cute!
Haha, my son’s book looks like belacan already
hi 5 vy.my daughter also bring the backpack type bag hahaha.
so klakar la u vivvy.. hahahaha..
i can image how gelabah are u that day.. stay chill, relax. it sok for our 1st time kan>?
Awww Vivy..you make me all teared up. Rasa terharu pulak sebab dah follow your blog since uni time, even before Daniel lahir, baru sekejap rasa baca Vivy tulis pasal your experience giving birth to Daniel. Now Daniel dah masuk big boy school?? awwh..Auntie iz oldzzz
OMG. DATIN V YOU ARE SO HILLSARIOUS. OMG WHY ARE THE LETTERS IN CAPITAL????
OH BECAUSE YOU ARE FUNNY. no doubt since the first time i’ve read your blog when you were still not graduating
Nooo please don’t change the bag. Haha. As far as I know, wheel bag is heavier than the normal one. 🤦🏻♀️😂 So it’s actually a good choice to give a normal school bag to our kids.
hey! don’t worry about it. if it makes you feel any better, we once left our daughter’s bag at home..and her lunch box. we didn’t realize this until we reached school. my husband was pissed with himself, he kept saying we are shi* parents man. I told him hey its foineeeeee. it’s just a bag. but of course I went home to get it and bring it back to school. hehe, but not everyone has it together, and it doesn’t deter your child from being an awesome one 😀
it’s ok mommy , it’s ok..u still have time to buy new trolley bag and wrap all the books…:P
No need cellotape Vy, its self adhesive book wrapper nowadays
There’s always a whatsapp group for the mummies/daddies + class teacher V.
tell me about it. Im only 25, I feel old already. We will still call you V. sriously.haha. like we would still call Fadza dean. Even if you insisted not to. Lolol. omg How time flies. sekejap je Danial dah besar. I remember when I first saw you in a magazine, so pregnant with Danial & I thought wow whos she? shes in a magazine for a babyshower.hahaha. reality check. pft. kinda miss that babyshower. #babyno3 #babyno3.
LOL! I can wrap books hahaha. When I was in Std 1, I was that annoying kid – the know-it-all. I felt sorry to my Ustazah who had to endure with my so called intelligence.
V, you can go to the bookstore that provides book wrapping services with nice and thick plastic wrapper. Usually, it is the bookstore that sells school textbook.
Welcome to Big School, Daniel! You will go in a boy and come out a gentleman because that’s the promise our Founder has made. Bismillah to great schooling days and years ahead! Xoxo
The first day was traumatic for you more than Daniel, huh….
I was that mom who didn’t wrap school books too when my dot started big school. She survived.
I laughed so hard reading the last paragraph 🤣
You make my day . 😂🙂 💕
no need to buy a new school bag for him sis cause you will train him early than other kids to be independent enough 🙂
all the things you do for him is really amazing as his mother. he will appreciate you much when he grow up soon.
Loveeee that you’re assuring yourself instead of Daniel on his first day of school 😂
Haha! When i used to teach there, memang all the kids will use roller bags. Yes. Naik tangga turun tangga dengan roller bags! Also please maybe its better to prepare food for him for break time. The canteen hmm is lil too expensive and nanti he’ll repeat eating the same thing! Lols. Ok. But have fun at school Daniel, it is memang fun over there!
hye vivy. its good enough to ask daniel get used to carry bag without wheel hahha bcs its not good somehow. it was like wa teach them to not so respect the book inside the bag
it’s not good for kids to use roller bags since it can cause scoliosis. so the backpack is better.
OMG Vivy! all the stuff u talk about is same as me when I’m standard 1 back then. Im shock there still roller bags do hahaha. My friends always ejek said they can hear me coming from 1 miles bcs i seret je my bag even dekat stairs haha
what a funny honest story. can imagine how kalut2 it was. daniel, you are so lucky. dun ever marah your mum put your crying photo.hehe
Haha so cute… i am sure those moms had experiences with the elder children…don’t feel bad!
daniel such a good boy soon!
hahhahahaah..baru baca entry ni. i started with the surgery entry and got hooked reading all the previous entry while my toddler who is as old as yours tengah membazir main air dalam toilet while mommy had some me time reading your blog. sekarang dah ada instant book wrapper, hope you knew about it alreadylah! Daniel is 4 or 5 this year?
I will go tru dis in abt hmm….3wks when my only child goes to the big school too…im excited and super nervous too (the poo and pee part)
Now dat u’ve mentioned im gg to the bookstore to buy PLASTIC WRAPPERS!!!
this post is hilarious. i cant wait to get married and have children and send them to school!