(image: my son’s school crafts)
It’s no secret that the whole school experience for my children (currenly, my son is in JK) leaves me feeling a little anxious. It’s one part sadness that they are growing up, and one part worry about how they are feeling, experiencing the day etc.
I’ve written about it many times on this blog. I should have a sub-category called ‘parents who are crazy anxious about sending their children to school’.
My guy is a fun, hilarious, active, and quite frankly brilliant (I can say that!) child. But he, much like his father, has introvert qualities to him. He avoids much conflict, he hesitates. So preschool at times was a challenge leaving him, and after Christmas this year we faced the same.
We’ve had wonderful experiences with teachers since he started school. They’ve been understanding, and welcoming and work hard to include him.
After the Christmas break he had some hesitation about going back (which we expected after the holidays) but once I dropped him off he was fine.
It was recently that something happened. That I had an awakening.
For months now, there has been no hesitation. He has asked morning after morning to leave early enough to get there and play with his friends. Pick up time has meant a car ride home full of stories about games, and other children and funny things that happened in the day.
And finally I saw it. My baby (or at least in my eyes) was growing up. He was such a big looking guy all of a sudden. His happiness shone through. He was at ease.
Right before my eyes he had changed. My baby was a boy. He had been for sometime but I was having a hard time believing it.
This is a funny age. He still is so young, and yet day by day can do so much more.
School isn’t the same stress that it once was.
And he makes me so proud.
It’s those moments that really make you see how far they’ve come. I still keep trying to find the button I can push to stop both my boys from growing – at least for a little while.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with holding on to them as little kids a bit longer 😉
I volunteered at the kindergarten class for several years and found that it was usually the mothers who were hesitant and felt leaving their children upsetting. Kids naturally pick up on that. If mommy isn’t comfortable, something must be wrong or scary. That, of course would affect how the child reacted. But once the mothers had left, every last one of those children was just fine in the classroom. Don’t let your fears and insurities rub off on your kids. Instill them with expectations of fun and good times instead.
You are right. We took real care to be enthusiastic about school and gentle encouragement helped. At the end of the day, he is fine adn will continue to be fine. It’s been a great experience.
Reminds me of my oldest. He hated going and left me so frustrated and anxious, but then one day.. it was different. I know what to expect with my youngest who starts JK in Sept. Patience and understanding.
I like your new look!
Thanks Susana! And it’s been a learning experience for us all. I’m so happy he’s come into his own at school, but we gave him the space to get there and I think that helped
Love this post. *happy sigh*
Those moments of realization are quite profound and emotional.
I almost broke into tears out of nowhere when I looked at my daughter in the back seat. She’s going to be seven. I blinked and she’s going to be seven. If I blink again, she’ll be fourteen.
stop blinking! It goes by way to fast. And while each stage is wonderful, it’s just amazing how quickly time passes
Sweet!
beautiful post Rebecca 🙂