Last year around this time I remember being so nervous for the upcoming school year. My baby boy was headed off to Kindergarten and no part of me was ready. I had dreaded this day since he was a tiny baby asleep in my arms and I saw a back to school commercial come on TV. I remember thinking Thank God that’s so far away… I can’t even imagine how hard that day is going to be!
But last September that day had come. It was now my turn to let my baby get on that big yellow school bus all by himself, with a book-bag practically as big as him on his back. As the bus pulled away I literally had to use every ounce of strength in me to restrain myself from chasing down the bus. I went inside, sat down on the couch with my head in my hands and wept. My little man was gone, into a big world, all by himself, for the very first time.
What if he couldn’t find his classroom? What if he can’t open his lunch box? What if he’s scared? What if he doesn’t feel good? What if someone picks on him?
The questions ran through my head and I even contemplated driving to school to check on him. After a few (many) more tears I finally collected myself and kept myself busy until it was time for him to get home. I waited at the end of the driveway as the bus pulled up and to my delight saw my little man get off the bus with an ear to ear smile on his face. The first words out of his mouth were “Kindergarten was awesome!!!… But I missed you!” my heart felt full. He loved it! What a relief! We went inside and he told me all about his first day (over a snack of course). That day I not only learned so much about my sweet boy, but I could tell he learned so much about himself. And that was just the begining.
So for all the Mommy’s and Daddy’s out there preparing for your child’s first day of Kindergarten, I encourage you to remember this… The day your little boy or girl gets on that bus and heads off to school will no doubt be one of the hardest moments of “letting go”, but I promise you this, you will be pleasantly surprised on how rewarding it can be too. When your son or daughter comes home excited to tell you about the new friend they met (all on their own!), or about the award they received at the school assembly, or with tales about their latest field trip you will feel a sense of pride that you have never felt. When they sit down at the kitchen table to do their homework (yes there’s homework in Kindergarten) but are able to read, add, subtract or write better than they did when they first started school you will feel such joy seeing them succeed and flourish. You also feel a sense of relief that they are having fun and making the best of an all day learning experience that you thought may be too much for them. And friends, some days it is. Some days it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows, and they come home in tears over being picked on or about being moved from blue to yellow on the behavior chart because they didn’t make the best decisions that day. But all of these moments only make you see the person your little one is growing into. You now see how they will deal with adversity or conflict. How will they over come a difficult situation or how they will face their bullies. You will see them over come fears and push through challenging events. And even though in the moment it’s going to be hard for the both of you, at the end of it you will find you have a bond with your child that you never had before kindergarten. You become a team more than ever before. You learn what being your child’s advocate really means, and he/she learns what it really means to trust you.
“The year of kindergarten” as we called it in our house wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t always happy. But it was rewarding in more ways than I can count, both academically and for our family. Our little guy slowly but surely developed his own wings to fly in this great big world, and before we knew it he was soaring all on his own. So my hope for you is…if you find yourself wanting to chase that bus down, you instead take a step back and watch your baby fly.
Xo Nicole
Very true! A year of treasured memories! I enjoyed reading this!
Thank you Courtney!
My son starts kindergarten in a few weeks, so this is a great article. Although I couldn’t read it without crying, I loved it and agree with you. It was hard when my older one started, but might be harder that he is my last one home. Thanks for sharing!
Aww April, I am sorry it made you cry! But I am glad you can relate. I definitely think the last one starting will be the toughest for me at least! Hope the kids have a great school year!
Oh man I didn’t even know I needed this till I read it. My little guy is only 3 but in the Netherlands, where we have just moved, he will start at 4 in Dutch. I am so nervous for him but I know I need to focus on how well he will do! Thanks for this!
Aww I am so glad you liked it Elizabeth! And wow, 4! That is hard! He must still feel like a baby… I am sure he will do great though, hang in there Mama!
I remember the kindergarten days with my children like they were yesterday. It is hard to believe how fast time goes by, enjoy these wonderful memories.
I will for sure Mary. I just want time to stay still! Its all going too fast!
A sweet post.It’s so difficult to let go and it doesn’t get any easier as they get older.
Thank you Lydia!
This is such a great article! I don’t have kids, but I hear my friends say they are more devastated about their kids going to kindergarten than the kids are 🙂 And like you said, once they start making friends and having fun, they can’t wait to go back every day
Thank you Karyl! Yes once they start it does get easier, but often times you just find something new to worry about haha
Most of my kids sailed through kindergarten, but it was miserable for one of them. So much depends on the teacher in those early years. Happily, most kindergarten teachers have a way with kids or they wouldn’t want to be kindergarten teachers!
The teacher makes a HUGE difference! I am hoping for a better year this school year!
My oldest whet to kindergarten last year, and it was so incredibly hard! And this year, our middle will start… I can’t believe how fast time flies but I have to say with our second, a few of the first year concerns are gone. On the other hand, both my girls are polar opposites so things I wasn’t worried about last year, I am this year… So much going on!
Oh man Katie, 2 going has got to be a big adjustment! I will have that next year when my middle goes! And yes my two are so different too so i can relate! A whole knew set of worries!! Well good luck and i hope all goes well! Xo
My little guy is entering Kindergarten this year. I think I am more nervous than he is! Thanks for sharing.
Aww Allison, he will do great! But it is so nerve-wracking! Once you get past that first day it gets easier 🙂