Ah, back-to-school season! A time of new beginnings, shiny little backpacks, and endless drama—not just for the kids, but for the parents too.
Let’s face it, the first day of school is a rite of passage that leaves everyone emotionally scarred, whether you’re three years old or thirty-three. And if you’re anything like me, you probably have stories that make you laugh, cry, and cringe all at the same time.
Take me back to the time when my brother Nkolo started Grade 1. Yoh, what a nightmare. I was also starting a new school at Zithathele Primary in Soweto, Orlando East, so you’d think my own nerves would be the highlight of my day. But nope! Nkolo took center stage, and oh, did he put on a performance. The little man cried like he was about to be sacrificed. Tears? Check. Screaming? Check. Vomit? Double check.
Half my day was spent by the tap, helping him drink water and trying to console him. At one point, we had to take off his shirt and rinse it because, well, the crying had escalated to levels that I wasn’t emotionally prepared for. Honestly, I deserved a medal for sibling bravery that day.
Fast forward to years later when I became a mom. Karma’s real, folks, and it hit me hard. Dropping my little one off at daycare for the first time? Whew, let’s just say Olivia was not the only one crying that day. I wept like nobody’s business. A part of me was left behind at that daycare.
(Olivia chilling at her daycare while I was worried back at home (2024))
I overthought every little thing: Is she okay? Is she playing with other kids? Is anyone bullying her? Did she eat her food? Are they helping her with toilet time? The list was endless, and so were my tears. For that entire week, I’d pick her up before time. I’d march in there like a helicopter mom on a rescue mission. Olivia was always fine, of course, probably wondering why her dramatic mom kept cutting into her finger-painting time.
And then there are the parents who take it to another level. You’ll see them outside the school gate, sobbing as if they’ve just dropped their kids off at boot camp. Some are so overwhelmed that they cry to the point of vomiting. Yes, grown adults! And honestly, I can’t even judge because, let’s be real, I was one sniffle away from doing the same.
Meanwhile, the kids themselves put on quite the show. You’ve got the clingers—those little ones who wrap themselves around their parents’ legs like koalas, screaming, “Don’t leave me!” Then there are the screamers, whose wails echo through the corridors, leaving a trail of emotional destruction in their wake.
And let’s not forget the silent saboteurs—the kids who act fine until you’re halfway out the door and then unleash the tears, forcing you to turn around and start the goodbye process all over again. By the time you actually leave, you’re sweating, emotionally drained, and questioning all your life choices.
But let’s give a round of applause to the teachers who have to deal with this circus. These heroes are out here catching kids mid-tantrum, mopping up tears (and sometimes vomit), and still managing to smile and wave at frazzled parents as they sprint to their cars. Bless their patience and their ability to act like everything’s under control.
So here’s to the first day of school—to the kids and the parents alike. May your tears dry quickly, may your little ones make friends easily, and may your teachers have an endless supply of coffee and tissues. And remember, it’s all part of the journey.
By the end of the week, you’ll all be pros at this… or at least you’ll have survived. Cheers to the chaos, and good luck to everyone. You’ve got this (maybe).
Happy back-to-school season!
