School Days

Early this morning as I was running near Kensington Palace (I know, it's ridiculous that I can say that!), I imagined George & Charlotte, waking up and running around those big palace halls, maybe earlier than their parents were ready for them to.  On one of our homeschool outings, Caroline and I toured Kensington Palace, and though she was disappointed that we couldn't see the private quarters, it was a slow day, and the tour guide at least told us which buildings the Royals live in and shared some fun stories about parties they have thrown in the State Rooms.  Yesterday we walked around the outside of Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, and visited the Banqueting House, where they threw lavish parties, until poor King Charles I was beheaded there!   Between being surrounded by Palaces and catching up on "The Crown" at night, it's hard not think about the Royal life!  

​With that said, even the Royals go to school (not too far from us), and kids will be kids, no matter the country.  Our boys had a great first week of school, and I was struck by how similar it felt to life at home.  There's the morning rush to get out the door, the craziness of the playground, the parents chit-chatting in groups as we wait for the kids at the end of the day, kids interrupting conversations, "PTA" fundraisers, the 5 o'clock meltdowns as hungry and tired kids can't hold it together anymore, 20 minutes of reading, spelling lists and multiplication tables. So much felt familiar and normal, even though there were very clear indicators that we're in a different setting.  I've been taking more notice at the park, on the bus, and on the streets of children and their interactions with their parents.  I've been oddly comforted to see that children from all sorts of backgrounds have messy hair and dirty shoes, exasperate their siblings, get "hangry," and feel the need to run and yell when given wide open spaces! 

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Of course, there are also several obvious differences about school here. For one, in every school, private or public, students wear uniforms.  I am such a fan!  My kids generally choose their clothes based on "fuzziness."  We live in fleece pants, cotton shirts, and athletic shoes, and Sundays are the worst days ever because once a week, I insist on somewhat nicer clothes.  We've endured many a tantrum over clothing that is too tight or not right.  It has been so awesome this week for there to be no question about what to wear, and the boys have willingly worn their dress pants, button up shirts, and "jumpers" (aka sweaters).  Caleb and Charles have bonded over learning to tie a tie!  We're learning about funny uniform culture too... after the first day they had to change for PE, they came home reporting that everyone else wears tank tops under their clothes! And who knew what plimsolls were?  (I actually still don't, but I think they're special PE shoes...I'm still the American mom who sends regular Nikes).  It's really cute to see kids all over the city walking, riding buses, on the Tube, in their uniforms.  Even the backpacks have the school crest!  I love how uniforms level the playing field in terms of socioeconomic status within the school.  And almost everyone eats hot lunch (why not- a chef prepares it onsite using organic ingredients!) The boys ride their scooters to school and park them for the day in a special scooter parking area, which is policed by older students who serve as monitors.  Since it's a Church of England school, they have class prayers and songs daily, a weekly assembly, and quarterly church services. I've appreciated the extra dose of British discipline- elbows off the table at lunch, zero tolerance for late homework, only fruit for snack.  I'm sure there are still meltdowns, but I was astonished by how quiet 200 students were during the school wide church service.  I'm telling you, it's those uniforms... 

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It has been an easy transition for the boys, and we're so grateful for the kindness of the staff, parents and students who have welcomed us.  We consider our elementary school in Durham to be fairly diverse, but I've been convicted by how my status as a white, middle-class member of the inner circle of involved parents affects my perspective.  It is so interesting to be the newcomer, the foreigner.  I am bonus grateful to the other parents who have introduced themselves to us, as we are clearly new in the middle of the year.  It makes my heart feel so good when a gaggle of kids runs over to greet ours on the playground in the morning or wave from across the street.  It makes me want to be a better Ambassador when we return, to pay forward the welcome and kindness we've received.  I hope that our kids too will remember what it's like to be the new kid in a strange city and be even more friendly when they're back on their home turf! ​​

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Don't worry, even though our weekdays are becoming more "normal," we're still playing tourists on Saturdays, dragging the kids out in the cold and rain to see the sites!