The first day of kindergarten
Filed under: Just For Moms, Big Kids, Day Care & Education
Yesterday was Jared's first day of kindergarten. It was a new school, a new teacher, new kids... Just before bed Sunday night, as we were getting ready for bedtime stories, he confided to me that he thought he would miss home when he went to school. I think he must have thought it was a boarding school or at least a significantly longer day than it actually was. I explained that there was nothing to worry about -- it would be just like preschool and he would be so busy having fun and learning things that he wouldn't have time to miss home.Come Monday morning, we got him up and dressed, fed him breakfast, and got ready to go as soon as my mother-in-law arrived to take care of Sara. We took two cars because Rachel was going to hang around for the PTA social but I had to get to work. Jared decided he wanted to ride with me. On the way over, we talked of politics and pledges, of naughty things and good boy things. When we got there, we met Rachel and went in to the school yard. Jared saw some of his friends and got in line with his class. The principal led the students in the pledge of allegiance and made some announcements. The classes then filed into their classrooms, one by one.
The parents all followed, this first day of school, standing around the outside of the classroom as the kids all found seats at the little tables. The teacher called their names, one by one, passing out name tags and having the kids each put their jackets, backpacks, and lunchboxes in their cubbies. She made some more announcements, we said goodbye, and left the room. I walked with Rachel and the other parents to the cafeteria, grabbed a piece of homemade coffee cake, and took off for work. I was happy for Jared, but other than that and a wish that I could have stayed instead of going to work, my focus was on getting to the office before I was too late.
Not so, it seems, for some of the other parents. Rachel has been having strong emotions about this for a while now. One of the parents from Jared's preschool was apparently so emotional that she couldn't stick it out; she had to go for a walk to pull herself together. Another mom was worried about her son starting kindergarten -- how would he handle it, how would she handle it?
I have to admit, I don't get it. Sure, I have some regrets -- I hate the fact that I have to go to work everyday instead of staying home with the kids. I'm upset that Jared's five already and he's only been camping once; Sara's never been. But emotional about him starting school? Getting upset because "my baby is growing up," as the cliché goes? Nope, I don't get it. Perhaps someone can explain it to me? How did you feel when your kids started school? Why all the tears?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-28-2007 @ 8:08AM
Kellie said...Maybe this is sexist, but maybe it's a mom thing? I don't know. I don't know many dad's who cry when their kids start school.
My hubby and I dropped our son off to his first day of preschool yesterday and we both cried. I then came home and took a nap. My husband, on the other hand, stopped off at the preschool on his lunch break to check on our son (without letting him see him of course). I don't know many dad's like that though.
I guess the whole "growing up" process is hard for some of us. For me it's one less thing he doesn't need me for. A part of my job as him mom is to teach him independence. There is an incredible amount of joy in that as it comes to pass, but it's also like slowly tearing off a band-aide. It's a step closer (albeit years away) to him having his own life and leaving. No more snuggles, cuddles, stories, etc. It's forever away, but the first day of kindergarten shows all of us how fast time flies.
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8-28-2007 @ 9:24AM
Anita said...My son starts kindergarten in one week and I am already sad. Just thinking about it can start the tears. He's my second and final, if my husband continues to get his way, and this signals the end of storytimes, playgroups, lazy mornings, and all the other wonderful times I had with my children being a stay at home mom for the last 6 years.
It's hard to explain but I had been looking forward to having babies and raising them since I was a baby. I feel like that part of my life is over and it will never be the same and it was so fleeting. Not being one to enjoy change, my son starting all day kindergarten signals an end to a time of my life that so far has been my favorite time of all.
I pray I don't cry the day I drop him off or he will respond by crying but I'm pretty sure it will take a herculian effort not too.
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8-28-2007 @ 10:56AM
Joy said...I have so much to say on the subject that I don't know where to start. It's very hard when your little ones aren't "little" anymore and it's the only "job" you ever wanted. All I ever wanted was to "Mother". I enjoyed every single minute of my two boys lives. I was involved with every sport, school programs, Sunday school and every other thing. When they need you less and less (which is supposed to happen), it's harder for some of us than others. When my youngest left for college...I did have somewhat of a breakdown. I felt my life was changing and I didn't ask for the change and I thought "who would need me now"? Everyone said to me "Oh, this is the best time of your life, you can do what you want". But what they didn't understand was I was doing what I wanted. I wanted to be a mother. I know I'm still a mother but I wanted to pack lunches and do laundry and wait up for them to get home. All those things. I'm fine now but it was tough for a few years. Now I'm the Grandmother of three beautiful children and I tell them the same thing.....Please don't grow, please stay small....Now I have two aged 7 and one who is 3 and I adore them and yet...they are growing. I don't think it's a man/woman thing. I think it's just the type of person you are. My dad is more emotional that my mom. I'm like him. I need to be needed. So now, I have birds and cats. It's just harder for some than others and with the right support, everyone can be okay.
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