06 February 2011

packing for high school

Greetings all,
tomorrow is the day i have been thinking about since i became a mother - the day my first born starts high school.  I'm so excited, i loved high school, it was fantastic.  It's disappointing when people say something like "people who were popular at high school, that was as good as life got for them" meaning they faded away & ended up the losers in real life.  In Australia, i don't think there is THAT much empahsis on high school as so many students play regional sport, one third go to private schools (which may not be local) & have part time jobs mixing with peers outside of their insular high school world or neighbourhood.  Whatever, all i know is that i had a ball in high school, i played sport, dated boys, snuck into night clubs, 'borrowed' cars & threw some awesome parties.  It was Sydney's north shore, it was the 1990's & i had older siblings babysitting me as our parents were overseas on holiday after holiday. 
Hey, i finished high school a virgin, never smoked a cigarette or drugs & got in the top 5% of the state.  How - i have no idea, i still didn't have any common sense.  I had never EVER met a soldier yet i was voted 'most likely to marry a man in uniform', ha ha ha.  I laughed at the girls who did home science & sewing - did they want to get married & have children or something??   Um, I went on to marry my teen love, collect a couple of university degrees & pop out 4 babies in my 20s . . . i was one of 2 married girls at our 5 year reunion & the only mother of 3 at our 10 year reunion, yes, jaws were dropped, "Jennie got sensible".   
Things have changed from my high school days though . . . check out what my daughter has packed in her bag, just to walk in the school gates on day one for year 7 . . .  
all the basics like new shoes, back pack & a million dollars on uniforms; i made her a new pencil case; she has a laptop (in that purple floral personalised cover); a mobile phone; folder; note book; plus a little purse for just-in-case she gets her periods at school.  Bless my growing girl, not a single sign of puberty happening yet, but imagine, oh imagine getting your periods at school??  It might not happen for a couple of years, but we're ready.  
I have to commend her on the maturity she's shown during this whole primary to high school transition . . . trying on baggy uniforms & all the new things being thrown her way.  She hasn't been negative, rude or oppositional . . . she's been happy, interested & open to my suggestions (please let this continue into teenagedoomdome).  When i suggested a purse for sanitary products, she was like "ok, that's a good idea" & i was so impressed.  If that was my mother saying that to me . . . i would have died, withdrawn & run away with my hands over my ears.  She handles all these changes so well, like going to a huge school with 1200 girls & . . . leg hair removal.  Yes, her little legs are bruised like a toddler but unlike my mother who sent my big sister off to year 7 with hairy legs, my sister wasn't going to let that happen to me & i wasn't going to let that happen to my daughter!!  She asked about shaving her legs & i had a flash back to cutting myself with a razor (remember girls??) & thought hair removal cream might be safer, it worked a treat, i highly recommend it (i still shave, less cuts these days though).
So the uniform is pressed, laptop charged, bag packed, leg hair removed & my big girl is off to high school.  I could not be prouder & i wish her all the fun (clean, wholesome fun) i had, perhaps with less parties & car borrowing??!!  

For all of those in the ACT who finally have children commencing or resuming school this week, i think we've earned ourselves a big pat on the back & perhaps a cheap Tuesday movie??  Love Posie 
PS i made no mention of my husband's high school days for a reason, he didn't study, he got into real trouble & let's just say . . . when Oprah sent Jay Z out to donate $1M worth of laptops to an impoverished Sydney high school . . . yep, he chose my husband's old school!!  Sigh, enough said.  Joining Army cadets when he was 13 was the best thing he ever did, he was a born soldier!! 

21 comments:

Jacinta said...

GOODLUCK Posie junior!!! I hope high school is good fun and you hang out with a good bunch of gals!

Wow Posie, you are so organised and calm! I'm nervous for you. hehe. I suppose because I hated high school and got teased... it was difficult. But hey, at least I don't see A SINGLE PERSON from HS since I'm interstate. YAY. ;)

Tina said...

I hope your beautiful blossom has a wonderful first day of year 7! As the Mum of 3 daughters, the eldest of whom has just started Year 9...'go the hair removal cream!!' Hope you have a fabulous Monday too. dear Posie. Hugs all round from us to you and yours ~ Txx

Cate said...

She sounds just divine. No teenager will ever be perfect all the time, but she's sounds like she's got head on her shoulders so I'm sure she'll go far :-)
Best of luck Bella!!
xxxCate

Kerry said...

High fives to your big girl. I bet she'll just love it. I loved school too, with similar experiences to yours :) My girl started high school without knowing a single soul and met a friend at that first assembly who has stayed a wonderful friend...they're 25 now :)

Cat said...

I hope your big girl enjoys her new school and has a wonderful time meeting new people. My big girl started high school 2 weeks ago, only girls school and she is having a great time which is so nice to see. I've still haven't said yes to the hair removal just yet, the uniform covers most of it, maybe next year. Enjoy the first week. xo

Kylie said...

Good luck to your big girl Jen.

I hope that she has a blast and that this is the start of a wonderful new chapter for her.

Sounds like you will be heading off to see a movie this week:)

Kate said...

Good luck to both of you this week - it will be quiet at your house!

Naturally Carol said...

It is to your husband's credit that from that rough start he has been able to change to being a good husband, father and provider!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Best wishes to your daughter on the start of her high school years. Time seems to speed up once they start high school. My oldest is started Year 12 last week - not sure how that happened!

Bron said...

I love that you have just talked about all the issues I am chatting with my girl about....the pretty "Just in case purse" is on my to do list this week....Although I would like to stay in denial a little longer is that bad?

Bron said...

I love that you have just talked about all the issues I am chatting with my girl about....the pretty "Just in case purse" is on my to do list this week....Although I would like to stay in denial a little longer is that bad?

Heidi said...

She's going to be a star...can't wait to here how it went!

Finki said...

High school..such a big thing, although you are both handling it so well. Preparation and open communication seem to work a treat for you. I'm starting my first born in high school next year, so i look forward to hearing of your success and advice on the transition.
You sound like such an ace mum posie. well done. xx

Felicity said...

What a lucky girl to have such a thoughtful, clever, loving Mum who really has thought of everything.

I hope your sweet pea has a brilliant start to this most exciting phase of her learning and you are able to share lots of bright giggles recounting all that she does on her first day.

Biggest of hugs to you dear friend.

Felicity x

PS Thanks for the tip on the hair removal cream - the girls both use razors but I might consider this too. F

Anonymous said...

Goodluck to your daughter and her first day of high school, I hope she has a wonderful day!! My daughter started last week and is loving it so far.

My girl has a 'just in case' purse in her bag as well :)

Happy Monday Posie
xx

beachvintage.com said...

This past week I have had to cope with my first at big school. It sure has been challenging.

Wendy said...

So exciting! I nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award, Jennie---details on my latest post. :)
W

Maxabella said...

I SO remember my first day at highschool and how grown up I felt. Best wishes for your big day!! x

seabreezequilts said...

Good luck for the first day of high school. It won't be long and I will be doing the same.

The Moerks said...

Sounds like a great start. Well done to both of you. Our eldest started High school too. He was also very cool about the whole deal. At least we didn't have to deal with hair removal or periods! Just deodorant and globe socks!

All For Love said...

Oh beautiful Posie! Reading all that took me right back. Could so relate to the leg hair situation AND the little 'pouch' for the feminine hygiene products. Unlike you though, my mother was extremely adverse to me shaving my legs, stating that the hairs would only grow back thicker, darker and more coarse. I often think about that conversation nowadays when I'm shaving my legs every 3rd day! Oh well, a girl has to feel good starting high school. Love the pencil case, gorgeous :o) Hope your little lady enjoyed her first day.