First Day of School Jitters

[irvinenester]

Anyone else's child starting at a new school today?

I used to be amused at news stories about "helicopter parents," but today I felt decidedly "hover-y" as I dropped off my first grader at our new school.  Shouldn't they be giving me some sort of claim ticket?  How come I can't come into the class room?  They need to have a viewing room with a one way window.  Or a webcam.  Or a twitter account exclusively dedicated to my child's every move and utterance.  No, better to have all of the above.
 
Maybe I should quit my job and be a full-time classroom volunteer.  But then the parents of another child may decide to frame me for a crime I didn't commit, because I was so obssessed with observing my own child that I neglected theirs.  This could happen.

Only 45 minutes left for the frozen solid bottle of water that I left in the lunch box this morning to have melted in time for lunch.  I should have done a test run yesterday.  ???

What did anyone else pack for their child's lunch?  Or are they buying?  Today's meal looked good: Beef Ravioli & Grain Yogurt & Muffin, Baby Carrot, Corn Cobbette.  Are the school lunches as tasty as they sound?

 

[usctrojancpa]

Anyone else's child starting at a new school today?

I used to be amused at news stories about "helicopter parents," but today I felt decidedly "hover-y" as I dropped off my first grader at our new school.  Shouldn't they be giving me some sort of claim ticket?  How come I can't come into the class room?  They need to have a viewing room with a one way window.  Or a webcam.  Or a twitter account exclusively dedicated to my child's every move and utterance.  No, better to have all of the above.
 
Maybe I should quit my job and be a full-time classroom volunteer.  But then the parents of another child may decide to frame me for a crime I didn't commit, because I was so obssessed with observing my own child that I neglected theirs.  This could happen.

Only 45 minutes left for the frozen solid bottle of water that I left in the lunch box this morning to have melted in time for lunch.  I should have done a test run yesterday.  ???

What did anyone else pack for their child's lunch?  Or are they buying?  Today's meal looked good: Beef Ravioli & Grain Yogurt & Muffin, Baby Carrot, Corn Cobbette.  Are the school lunches as tasty as they sound?

Ok....breathe in, breathe out...and repeat.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Is this a year-round school?

Most schools are still on summer break.

And yes... I know exactly how you feel. We've taken time off work to make sure they get from school to the CDC (after school care) for the first 2 weeks.

 

[irvinehusky]

Hi,

Yes, my three kids started at their new IUSD school today as well.  We're new to the year round schedule.  It's always a little nervous when there's change but we've done it a few time so probably a little more used to it.  I assume this must be your first child in elementary school? 

Get a small, kid's aluminum(?) thermos and put some ice in it from the fridge in the morning.  It'll stay cold enough for the whole day.

My wife packs lunch for the kids every morning.  Pasta, rice with beef and eggs, and ONIGIRI (rice balls), things like that.  The occasional peanut butter and jelly to keep them happy.

If you have the time, it's good to volunteer your time.  You'll get to know the teachers and other parents that'll tell you about the future teachers for your child.

Anyone else's child starting at a new school today?

I used to be amused at news stories about "helicopter parents," but today I felt decidedly "hover-y" as I dropped off my first grader at our new school.  Shouldn't they be giving me some sort of claim ticket?  How come I can't come into the class room?  They need to have a viewing room with a one way window.  Or a webcam.  Or a twitter account exclusively dedicated to my child's every move and utterance.  No, better to have all of the above.
 
Maybe I should quit my job and be a full-time classroom volunteer.  But then the parents of another child may decide to frame me for a crime I didn't commit, because I was so obssessed with observing my own child that I neglected theirs.  This could happen.

Only 45 minutes left for the frozen solid bottle of water that I left in the lunch box this morning to have melted in time for lunch.  I should have done a test run yesterday.  ???

What did anyone else pack for their child's lunch?  Or are they buying?  Today's meal looked good: Beef Ravioli & Grain Yogurt & Muffin, Baby Carrot, Corn Cobbette.  Are the school lunches as tasty as they sound?

 

[irvinenester]

Yep, we're newbies to elementary school. 

Today was the first day of school for the year round schools.

Everyone will be happy to know that the water bottle defrosted in time for lunch.

I am now plugging away at all these forms that got sent home.  I cannot imagine doing this times 3!

I love the diversity of foods that parents are packing in their kids lunches.  I remember when I was a kid, kids got so embarrassed when their parents packed ethnic foods in their lunch bags.  Nowadays, it seems kids don't blink an eye...in fact other kids get jealous!

 

[irvinehusky]

One of my kids asked mom not to put in riceballs and other ethnic foods probably because it caused unwanted attention...in her mind.  I think after seeing other kids bring similar things, she got over it. She also wasn't happy bringing lunch because some of her other friends bought lunch.  But after one of her friends commented how lucky she was to have a mom that packed different snacks and lunches all the time, she happily brought the homemade lunches; that friend's mom already had four kids and had another one coming so her dad always made PB&J sandwiches due to lack of time.  After that, she always wanted to bring mom's lunches. 

I remember one of my co-workers telling me his kid got bullied bad every day because he brought ethnic lunches.  It wasn't in Irvine (It was in New York) so things probably are different than here.  As you know, there's a mix of ethnicities here so the kids are more tolerant of these things.

Well, if you or your spouse decide to volunteer in your child's classroom, depending on the personality of your child, you may get the "I don't know you or want you around" treatment from your kid.  Don't be devastated if this happens, cause it happens.  One of my kids did it for a while.  My sister's kid did as well.  Anyone else experience this?

Yep, we're newbies to elementary school. 

Today was the first day of school for the year round schools.

Everyone will be happy to know that the water bottle defrosted in time for lunch.

I am now plugging away at all these forms that got sent home.  I cannot imagine doing this times 3!

I love the diversity of foods that parents are packing in their kids lunches.  I remember when I was a kid, kids got so embarrassed when their parents packed ethnic foods in their lunch bags.  Nowadays, it seems kids don't blink an eye...in fact other kids get jealous!

 

[irvinehomeowner]

My kid doesn't like the packed lunches no matter what I pack... he got spoiled by a cooked/hot lunch at his private school... and so when I tell him he can buy his lunch if he wants something cooked/hot... he says he doesn't want to waste time waiting in line because he loses play time.

I packed my own lunch when I was a kid and it was the same thing every day... bologna and cheese... no complaints at all.

 

[coldland]

My kid doesn't like the packed lunches no matter what I pack... he got spoiled by a cooked/hot lunch at his private school... and so when I tell him he can buy his lunch if he wants something cooked/hot... he says he doesn't want to waste time waiting in line because he loses play time.

I packed my own lunch when I was a kid and it was the same thing every day... bologna and cheese... no complaints at all.

You can buy a thermos to pack hot lunch in the morning. And it will still be warm/hot at lunch time. I have been packing my preschooler fried rice or fried noodle prepared in the morning for 7 months now, and no complaints yet.

 

[rkp]

mine is still in the "ones class" at her school so cant add much to the elementary transition.  but i think there is nothing wrong with being a helicopter parent for a short time.  its a transition and helping them through it from afar seems like a good idea