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Glos_Mum · Post by **Glos_Mum** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:06 pm

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JaysDarlin · Post by **JaysDarlin** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:07 pm

Thanks for starting this thread Glos_Mum,

Can I ask what youll do when you run over the techniques?

Patricia mentioned that she has a notes card for every child, but Im just not sure where to start on that?

I am also wondering what I will do the day of the test.

cheltdad · Post by **cheltdad** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:49 pm

might be missing something but surely going over techniques the night before is last minute cramming?

proud mum x2 · Post by **proud mum x2** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:17 pm

Hi, having been through all this twice, I suggest a relaxed evening, cuddle and wind-down time. The morning will come all too soon.I had bought both of them a small toy(teddy key ring) as a good luck charm, and said that I would be wishing them well through the charm.

I think an early night, and a good sleep will do more good than any reminder cards or last minute cramming. My DD wanted to take strawberries in a pot for snack time, and didn't want any mention of the test before bed.

In the morning, I let them decide what, or if, for breakfast, and on the way in the car we just told them to stay calm, to try to imagine themselves alone, and tell them we knew they would do their best, which was all we hoped for.

For both of my DC I stayed in the car outside, armed with papers, books and coffee in a flask. They both said it made them feel comforted to know we were only a few yards away.

Everyone will have their own ways and ideas, but ours worked for us.
Both my DC were calm, and didn't panic or get upset. They said the charm worked for them, when I asked them tonight, also the fact that we were calm and confident.

good luck to you and especially your little ones.

Glos_Mum · Post by **Glos_Mum** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:50 pm

JaysDarlin · Post by **JaysDarlin** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:50 pm

That was lovely Proud Mum.

I'm inspired to work my way towards doing just that. Any more suggestions would be warmly appreciated.

Glos_Mum · Post by **Glos_Mum** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:57 pm

mum3 · Post by **mum3** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:40 am

We did no last minute cramming. A good night's sleep (for them at least) is the best thing and try to let them know it won't be the end of the world if it goes wrong. This seems to take the pressure off a bit. You could warn them that the test might be harder than they imagine it will be and not to panic, if it is, everyone will find it harder. However, when they get to the school to take the test, everyone is in the same boat and there is quite a jolly (even if it's a false jolly by over anxious parents!) atmosphere. Everyone is mighty relieved when it is over. We went out for lunch and just tried to forget about it. And don't panic if they come out and say it was hard, they couldn't do it etc etc, because my son did just that.... but then got into Pate's! Good luck.

proud mum x2 · Post by **proud mum x2** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:40 pm

Hi again, my DD came out saying it was easy! That was really worrying as I thought maybe she had missed a page or something!

She said don't worry mum, I know I did it!

She told no-one else how it went, just said it was "ok" So as you can see you never know how they will find it, just be there for them,

I burst into tears going back to the car after dropping both of them off,(not before they went in!) so be prepared for this surprising reaction, I just felt that I had instigated the whole thing....then I was leaving them to face it alone!

But,I think, our reactions as parents are much more emotional, they just get on with it. My DD enjoyed the whole thing, couldn't see why it was such a big deal!

She does still keep her charm with her on test days or things she might find worrying, so , I suspect, she is not always so super confident!

mum3 · Post by **mum3** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:46 pm

Yes DS1 came out and said it was easy when he did it and got into Pates, so you can't win really! You panic if they say it was easy (immediately think they must have done it all wrong) and panic if they say it was hard as did DS2 (immediately think they're not good enough). Same outcome in the end though!