Kids started school?

This can feel like a big new phase. Let's get into it....

When your child, or one of your children, starts school there is usually a shift. What kind of a shift depends on your situation - which one do you relate to most?

Your job role on LinkedIn is 'parent'

Or probably you haven't even looked at LinkedIn for years!

You've been spending a lot of your days over the last few years looking after your preschooler. Definitely not Staying At Home. Except during Covid....but you know what I mean, you wouldn't describe yourself as a stay at home parent. You have been at toddler groups, the park, mini gymnastics, swimming, the veg shop, soft play, and home.

Depending on whether you have other children, the start of primary school might bring a new start for you too. You haven't really had a chance to think about what you want, but you'd like to.

Primary School is another thing to juggle

You are a working parent and transitioning between a childcare provider set up to largely support your working day, to school hours which is a much shorter day. And don't forget all the extras; classroom visits, performances, parent meetings, inset days, packed lunches, fundraising events and a whole new social scene. You're wondering how much you can carry on as you have been, and what support you need.

Your child (are the still a child?!) has gone up to secondary school

You can't believe it - seeing them in their uniform takes you back to your own school days which don't seems as long ago as they actually are (or is that just me?).

You're letting go as they make their own way to and from school. Trying to let them be more independent and responsible for their bags, homework, friend meet ups and club choices. You know they will still need you, but in a different way. Goodbye evenings!

You might be thinking about what opportunities could open up for you now you are less 'hands on' during the day. And you may be worried about navigating the teenage years.

So what do you need?

This is a question worth considering in any new phase. For me I needed connection with other parents of kids the same age when my eldest started primary school. Even as someone who can be drained by socialising and meeting new people, the benefit of the laughter and support I still get from these friends is more than worth it.

Whatever stage you are at, it's likely you put a lot of energy into your parenting and while that may continue to some extent, don't forget about you. You've probably thought a lot about what the transition means for your kids, but there's a change for you too and it's not just about what you need, but also what you want.

Coaching can give you some structured re-evaluation and help you make the first steps to your making your new phase work for you. Book in if you would like a free chat to help decide if that would be useful for you.

Or email me at jess@newphasecoaching.com to let me know what you think of the article, a situation you are in which I haven't described, or to tell me what you needed when your child started school. I really would love to hear from you.