Dear Ethan,

I am going to be honest, I didn’t sleep well last night. I tossed and turned thinking about your first day at school today. I fell into a deep sleep in the wee hours of the morning and as when I opened my eyes when the alarm went off, the very fact that you will be starting school today took my breath away for a moment.

Today, you start your journey on an exciting chapter in your young life and I want to tell you so, so many things but there’s not enough time right now.

I know we’ve spoken lots over the last weeks and months in the lead up to this awesome day but I can’t resist writing them down for you to revisit again and again and perhaps read when you are older.

So here goes…
When I came into your room this morning I wanted to tell you firstly that I love you and that I know today is a big day for you. You’ve likely got butterflies the size of birds in your little tummy today wondering all sorts of things like- what your teacher will be like, if you’ll make new friends, will you know anyone in your class? Please believe me when I tell you how special you are, and how everyone that meets you will soon know too. And if there are some that won’t accept you. That’s okay as it will be their loss.

As the weeks go on you’ll worry about finding your way in this new world. This is totally normal. I’m 40 and I am still finding my way. Your gran is 70 and she’ll tell you the same. It takes a lifetime to find your way, so try not to stress too much figuring it out. I saw you itching and scratching this morning and you do this when you are nervous. Please don’t be. Everything is going to be great.

Embrace the adventure and this new experience with a positive outlook because while mum knows it is all weird and a little bit scary today, very soon it will all click into place. You’ll enjoy the routine and the familiarity.

I hope you like the note I put in your lunchbox, my mum gave one to me on my first day of school too. It read: “Try not to look so nervous. Smile and the whole world will smile with you.” Just reading it made me smile and gave me great comfort, so I hope you liked the note I left in your lunchbox.

If you get nervous or uncomfortable today, I hope you remember what I’ve always told you. Just breathe little one. Just breathe.  As you know from before, a few deep breaths will calm you and help you see things more clearly.

Don’t worry if you only make one or two friends. Quality is always better than quantity.

Sending you off to school today has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as your school bag disappeared through the school door. I almost called the school and told them I was going to keep you here with me so I could home school you! Then at least I’d know I could watch over you and protect you. But then I realised how selfish that was, as you need to go out there and have all of the amazing experiences I can’t provide for you here. You’re going to shine so bright!

One very important piece of advice that I want to give you is to remember that everyone is different and you’ll not have everything in common with everyone you meet. That’s called diversity. Embrace those differences. It’s what makes the world go around.

You’re about to learn so many new things. Please be patient with yourself and with others too. Not everyone moves at the same pace.

A really important word is coming up now… It’s called LISTEN. When your teacher speaks, or when she’s asked someone in your class to speak- please respect that and listen! It’s a skill that you’ll need a lot of later in life. And at the right times it’s okay to speak up. Don’t be afraid to express yourself.

I’ll be counting down the minutes until I see your little face appear out the door to meet me. I’ll be there waiting, looking forward to hearing all about your important day – your first day at ‘big school’.

I love you and I am so proud of you. Go get ‘em!

Love, Mum
x

(This letter was sent to us from one of our mum readers. She wrote to for her son Ethan last year who started Junior Infants, aged 4. She hopes that it will give comfort to all the mums out there who have a little one starting school this year. Ethan has had the best year and is thriving. He's looking forward to starting Senior Infants next week)