It is the start of September again, the time of the year most parents dread (or celebrate if youโve been off with them for the entirety of the summer holidays). Your sweet little bundle of joy is now in their uniform and ready to start a new term of school. ย
Of course, after hours of sewing labels into every single possible item of clothing they own and getting them shoes that mean that can run around everywhere at 100mph. The big day doesnโt become any easier. Yet, here you are after months of planning and preparation, at the gate, watching your child enter the classroom doors.
Now you have to go to work, usually a simple task that youโve done every day for years. Suddenly it has turned into a labyrinth of emotional self-blackmail and youโre questioning everything that lead up to the moment at the gate.
Here at PA Life, we understand that itโs not easy and have battled many of the same feelings ourselves. Thatโs why weโve put together some advice for getting your head back into work mode, after dropping your child off for their first day of school.
To Do List: Make sure youโve set yourself a busy to-do list for as soon as you get to work.
Being busy at work will help take your mind off your worries and will help you to relax. The more free time you have the greater the chance your mind has to wonder back to what they are filling their day with. It might even help to use the day to start a new project or look at planning a future event, just so you arenโt giving yourself time to think about anything that isnโt work related.
Donโt check social media: On back to school day every year, an influx of children wearing their new school uniforms appear on all of our social feeds. Itโs the same for everyone, as each parent tries to prove they love their child the most by posting a picture with a caption that reads something along the lines of โSuper proud of them all dressed up and ready to go to schoolโ.
Itโs quite sweet to see everyone so satisfied but if you decide to check your social media feeds whilst at work, it will undoubtedly send you on a spiral of self-reflection and possible sadness that your child is now in their school building every day for the foreseeable future.
Try not to clock watch: It is difficult being at work and not being aware of the time. Especially as a busy PA/EA you need to be constantly on the ball, which unfortunately often means you need to check the time more regularly than most.
There is a difference between time checking and clock watching. Checking the time is an infrequent activity that can benefit and help you to stay on top of your day, whereas clock watching is the habit of continuingly watching the clock until the end of your day.
Yes, you donโt want to that parent picking up your child late on their first day, but if you are really that worried, set an alarm on your phone and then try not to think about it too much.
Donโt talk to co-workers about it: This protects you from becoming that person in the office that can only talk about their kids. Itโs universally accepted that your child going back to school isnโt easy but not everyone in the office wants to know about it.
Get your tears out before you walk into work: You arenโt the only person in the world with a child going to school, you arenโt alone with your feelings. But, try not to let go in the workplace.
Trust us when we say that your boss doesnโt want to come in and deal with you being an emotional mess because your child has started school. Awkwardโฆ..
Itโs going to be tough sending your child to school/ back to school, we fully understand and hope it goes smoothly. By following our advice, we think your day will be a little less painful.
You may think every cloud is dark and heavy in the next couple of days but remember, each one is silver lined; you no longer need to worry about the rising cost of childcare.
