Kindergarten Registration

So. It’s official. Today I handed in the last piece of paperwork to officially register my daughter for JK in the fall.

My baby.

My last child.

Off to school. Big kid school.

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

Now, the one thing that is saving me from an emotional breakdown right now is that she is still in a half day program. This means school from 8-10:30, 5 days a week.  It’s a small amount of time, she’s more than ready for it (as demonstrated by her love for preschool) and I will still be able to hang out with her.

But this still signifies a great change for me.  Most people assume that my hesitation to see my kids off into the world is because I will sit at home pining for them and clock watching. While the latter part may be true, there’s no doubt that I can fill the time rather easily.

Take your pick of activities that I should (and likely will) be doing while they are both in school: baking, cleaning, gym, tv watching, reading, writing, working on this blog, working on contracts, coffee with friends, shopping, grocery shopping, appointments and so on.

Don’t think for  a moment that I’m worried about filling the time.  What I am most worried about is filling the space in my heart that will be slightly emptied as my house is.

She’s ready.  Even more so than her brother was (and frankly, he’s been doing very well with full day grade 1).  6 years ago when I quit work and was about to have my first baby I always knew this day would come.  When I would shift from officially being a stay-at-home mom with kids underfoot to being a stay at home…something.

It’s exciting.  And I’m excited for her.  But I’ve never been one to embrace change I’m afraid.

My baby is going to school.   Am I really ready?