I am the mother of four year old twin boys Sam and Luke. Today was their first day at school and I have to say one of the most traumatic days for me ever! They both looked so cute and gorgeous in their new uniforms, but also so tiny! As I checked their school bags for the zillionth time to make sure they had all they needed, all I kept thinking was will they be alright? Will they make friends? Will they know where the toilet is? Will they love school or hate it? What if they get lost? I nearly drove myself crazy with the possibilities!

  My husband Nigel and I had been quite relieved to find out that the boys would be in separate classes. The thing is they have always done everything together. They have actually never ever been apart except for the odd shopping trip. We concluded that perhaps this was not the healthiest wisest thing for them, and it needed to change. We felt it would be best to separate them now, so that they could develop and progress properly. We want them to learn to cope with life and all its challenges, without leaning too heavily or depending too much on one another. Besides we didn’t want it to be a shock for them, having to make the transition when one of them got a girlfriend first! Of course the other consideration is that we wanted them to excel at whatever they are good at individually, without being compared academically. If they were in the same class, comparison would be inevitable. We didn’t want to put pressure on either of them; we just want them to be great at being them!

  Anyway back to their first day… As we reached the school gate we paused for photos of them. They stood proudly holding their school bags looking as excited as ever to be starting this new phase of their precious little lives. I on the other hand felt physically sick! I was so nervous for them that I wondered if was too late to change my mind. Maybe we didn’t have to do this! Maybe they were just not ready. I suddenly had the thought, “Girl, You just need to get a grip and let go! They are excited and they will be absolutely fine. Besides, this is actually about them and their special day! Now let them get on with it before you pass on any anxiety to them!” I had to fight like crazy to regain control of my raging emotions, and compose myself. Getting a grip did not come easy, but I managed to refuse to accept any more negative thoughts. What good were they doing me anyway! Besides it was completely out of my control now anyway!