text: The kids are great and settling in... but why am I upset? - Rattle and MumThe kids are great and settling in... but why am I upset? - Rattle and Mum
  The kids are great and settling in… but why am I upset?
  One would think that having a son in grade 4 would make me less of a crybaby on his first day of school…. but you'd be wrong. Watching him, taller than a few months ago, reuniting with friends, and waiting for his name to be called out, I could feel the ugly cry coming on.
  It's such a mixed time of year for me. I'm happy that he's growing up, that he's in a good school, that he's in great hands (I hope?) and that he's settled in so well.
  BUT, my little boy is no longer starting to feel like my little boy any more, and I'm scared he's slipping through my fingers, which I know is age appropriate, but as I said, I'm mixed. He's one shoe size away from me, and it's maybe a matter of time before there's a halt on the hugs goodbye at school, and the laughing at the silliest of things. Also, it's just a matter of time until I can't keep up with the homework, and will need to phone a friend, Google it, or turning to another learning resource.
  Time sometimes separates us from our kids, and while I realise this is normal, it makes me a bit sore, and there aren't many days quite like the first day of school that I'm reminded of it.
  As for Rebecca, she also settled in well, though she still feels little enough that I'm feeling safely connected for now.
  With both of them though, it's sometimes difficult to think of them "out in the world" and I don't know what's going on. It's another mixed bag – I'm happy my kids are independent and have great spaces for them, but sometimes I want to hold them and guard them from everything out there.
  How do you feel when your kids start school? Does anyone share with some of my emotions?
  PS: While we're here chatting about school, and just in case you missed my post last week, Twinsaver is giving away R10 000 for school fees.
  To enter to win a share of R50 000, just buy a Twinsaver cylinder-style pack, 1- or 2-ply facial tissues and pocket packs. Then head to the Twinsaver Facebook page, and follow the entry prompt from there. You can enter once per product, and the campaign ends on February 15 2019.
  You'll need the barcode number (you'll have to submit the last four numbers to enter), and you'll have to hang onto your till slip in case you're a winner. You'll also need to like the Twinsaver page.