The first day of school is tomorrow. I know it’s just full
day kindergarten-it’s not boarding school, or off to war. But it feels like a BIG, taking-over-my-life,
deal. I’ve seen this coming; in fact I shed my first tears over the eventuality
of Liam leaving for kindergarten when he was still just 2.
I think maybe it’s asking a bit much of me to give up my
first born child to elementary school.
My kids are my prized possessions, the best thing that ever happened to
me, and they expect me to surrender one of them to a stranger, a teacher I’ve
barely met. (Although she does seem highly capable) He’ll play with kids that
haven’t been pre-approved and do all kinds of things he didn’t ask me
permission to do. It seems obtrusive. In fact, I would rather some stranger came
and slept in my bed, wore my underwear, and drank out of my milk jug.
As I send Liam to school, I send him with soaring, high hopes-
I hope his teacher will see him for the brilliant, sweet,
curious boy he is. I want to pull her aside, look her in the eyes, and tell her
“All kids are special but this kid. . . he’s REALLY special.”
I hope the other kids will be nice, sheltered, and also well
loved.
I hope learning will come easily and be enjoyable. I hope he
won’t be too bored. I hope Kindergarten will provide a good academic foundation.
I hope he will love meeting lots of new friends. I hope he won’t
care a bit that he’s the only white kid (well, actually there are 2) in his class.
I hope he will still stay naive and that he will still love
snuggling with his mom, liberally giving her hugs and kisses, calling her
pretty and playing pretend. (I know some of that stuff will change, but I’m
hoping not this year!)
Sometimes I feel like Peter Pan who never wants anyone to
grow up, get big, or change. At every age I look at my children and say “I want
you to stay this age forever, you are perfect the way you are!” But, they eat ,
they sleep, and they grow. They develop into someone, yes, older but more developed, a little
smarter and still just as wonderful.
Maybe kindergarten isn’t the end after all.
4 comments:
Wow! I can't imagine the feelings. I already feel anxious/fearful for that day. So exciting at the same time for Liam! He is an awesome kid Danielle! Azaleia still talks about her friend. We sooo look forward to him learning Spanish and motivating Azaleia to respond in Spanish too. :) Good luck on your big new phase tomorrow!
His teacher will love him and probably be grateful every day that he is in her class. Sweet boys are highly valued in kindergarten, I've noticed. He might even be EXTRA snuggly when he gets home if you're lucky.
Babies going off to kindergarten is such a mixed bag of emotions. I hope you survive it ok.
Aww. I get teary on the first day too and I'm the teacher! I hope things went well! Grandma Krystal
This was seriously a sweet post. I think you've expressed what many mother's couldn't. Well written and priceless!
P.S. You have got a beautiful family, Dani! Glad to see you guys are growing and loving life.
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