First day at school made me my mum

WHAT KATI DID NEXT:

I have officially turned into my mother. In a roundabout sort of way.

It was a leisurely type of day: we had friends round for Sunday lunch and I sat at the dinner table with a sewing needle, some thread and my son’s first school trousers in my hands, hemming them.

So mother, there you have it. Officially I am now you.

My friends were looking on oddly, “What’s wrong with that webbing stuff you can iron on?” they inquired. But I couldn’t do that.

I wanted to sew my boy’s first school trousers, I wanted to feel like a proper mother, just like my mother was.

I didn’t want to feel like the rather blubbery mess I was, a mother with brimming eyes aware that this was a very significant day in the life of me. Not my child, no he will take it all in his very capable stride.

“Don’t worry about me mummy, it’ll be fun,” was one of his retorts when we were talking about the journey he was about to embark on. Suddenly I felt very old, and very responsible.

I have been able to be a self-employed actor-type oik for a very long time.

It has suited me down to the ground. I have been able to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

This level of oikery is no more.

Now that our son is off into the very wide world of education, I have to become all grown up.

The thought of waking up at the same time every day for the rest of my life fills me with dread.

That Sunday night “going back to school” feeling had been put way behind me and here it was raising its ugly head again.

I have never felt the pressure of responsibility so heavily on my shoulders but you know what, I like it.

I suddenly feel worthy of these two small children in my care.

I feel grown up at last. It’s only taken 37 years and, yes, I like it a lot. Blimey soon I’ll be getting myself a proper job just like my mum.

Good Lord what am I saying? This school thing has gone to my head. Roll on the Christmas holidays.