Like many of you, I’m still shocked that when we have children, we’re actually allowed to take them home from the hospital without any formal training. I’ve talked to other moms and I know they’ve felt the same way.
What? You’re entrusting the care of this little tiny newborn to me? But I’ve never done this before!!!
And then you go on to have baby #2 or baby #3 and you boost your confidence and wonder how you ever doubted yourself as a mother. Or something like that.
But I stopped at baby #1. I’m still figuring it out as I go. And as I learn from my mistakes, I don’t really get a chance to correct them. I don’t have any other kids that allow me to get it right. I’ve got a one shot deal.
I think I’ve gotten a lot of it right. I don’t necessarily credit myself with that. I’ve got a bright, beautiful little boy. He’s gentle and kind and loving and curious about the world around him. And I couldn’t be prouder. But he stays up too late and eats too many sweets and watches more TV that I would care to admit publicly.
We’re working on it.
I’m still figuring it out as I go and now I’m being thrust well beyond my comfort zone.
HE’S GOING TO KINDERGARTEN!!!
Imagine that I just said that out loud in my best freaking out voice. Because, yeah, I’m freaking out. Evan is actually taking it in stride. He was terrified of the idea of kindergarten but he’s gotten to know a few kids. He’s met one of the teachers. He’s had popsicles with the principal. And now, he’s looking forward to it.
BUT I’M STILL FREAKING OUT!
It’s been a couple decades since I was personally involved with the public school system and even then, it was as a student, not as a parent. I just carried the boring papers and forms home to my mom. I didn’t actually have to read them or understand them.
Times have changes. I’m the mom now. I’m expected to be knowledgable and responsible and I’m scared to death.
Kindergarten assessment? I almost missed it because I forgot to turn in one piece of paper to get Evan fully registered.
Bus schedule? I have it. I’m still not sure I entirely understand it.
School supplies? I have a list of everything I’m supposed to buy. I’m kind of excited about that.
Open House? Yes, it’s coming up next week. There’s a new student orientation and an open house and a PTA social and volunteer training and “Back to School” night. All on the same day. I don’t even know what any of that is!
School pictures, school lunches, absences, permission slips, conferences…
I feel like they’ve missed something: School orientation for the moms of kindergartners.
I need someone to hold my hand and walk me through the process so I’m not that mom. The one that forgets it’s picture day or sends him in the wrong shoes or misses the field trip.
I need an orientation and maybe a glass of wine.
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Am I the only one that feels a certain sense of panic about the very first day of the very first year of school? Let’s commiserate.
19 comments
I have a kindergartener this year too. But I also have a 2nd grader, but this is only our 2nd year of public school. We homeschooled before last year. I was super excited but it is very daunting. especially last year because I had the added stress of transferring out of our school district into one that is better. That was so much fun. NOT. Anyway today is the 5th day of school for us and we are doing great. Except this morning with Little Dude (kindergartener) started crying because his “school is so long!” Last year he only had 1/2 day pre-k. I thought tears were supposed to happen on the 1st of 2nd day!!! Oh well he loves it….hopefully he stays loving it! =)
That’s exactly what I’m worried about! It’s a long day EVERY day. He’s not much for routine and neither am I. I’m hoping we’ll ease into though!
I love that the school year brings a little more routine into our lives. After the summer of no routines at all I am sooo ready for that part! =)
My oldest is going into 3rd grade and my youngest was in K last year. Even with my experience as an elementary teacher years before, I wasn’t prepared for All Things Kindergarten. It’s overwhelming. I forgot to sign papers, I forgot early pick-up day, and I broke down in front of the principal when Anna was called in when another kid bit her. My point is that (unless I’m a huge freak), it’s normal. He will thrive. You will love his teacher and tell her things you never thought you’d tell another woman about your child. She will get him more during the day than you will, and eventually, you’ll be OK with that. You’ll cry on the first day of school and probably every day after that for a week. But he will be OK and so will you. Take pictures; be the crazy mom crying. You won’t be the only one.
Well, hey. Your comment just totally made me cry. So yeah. I think I’m going to go ahead with the crazy mom crying thing.
Oh good. My quota of making at least one person cry a day has been met! And before 11am? SCORE!
We’re doing the year-round schools here, so Catie has been in kindergarten for about a month. I had a mild freak-out about it. She’s been in full-time daycare since she was about 9 months old (when I started back to work), so it didn’t feel like that huge a change. Want to talk about the first time I had to leave Lucy as a tiny 3 month-old at daycare? THAT was me doing the crazy mom crying thing. So I guess we all have that moment at some point in our lives. 🙂
He’ll do great, and so will you. Promise. XO
Oh, I also cried when I went back to work part-time and he was only 4 months old!! He’s my little buddy. He drives me nuts but I’m going to miss him!!
You’re not alone! My one and only is about to enter Kindergarten and I am so excited for him. Not gonna lie, I’m excited for the free ME time I’m going to have!!
The forms? Eh…I’m not so good about turning in papers. Oops! I think I had to turn some in by August 1st. I don’t even know where they are in my house…
The ME time has been what I’ve been looking forward to all SUMMER! And now that it’s here, I feel so differently about it. He fills the space in my day!
Here, I’m panicking because my oldest will be a Senior in HS!! I’m not old enough to have a senior in HS and she will leave next year for college!!!. I remember her first day of kindergarten when I put her on the bus , she was so tiny. I get back in the car with tears in my eyes and my youngest says to me ‘don’t cry mommy, I’m still your baby’!
The days go by too fast, enjoy each and every one of them.
At least be the mom who occasionally forgets, than the mom who is overly involved……
Oh, please. I’ve already pleaded with my son to live at home forever and to skip the whole college thing. I guess that’s why God gives us teenagers – so we’ll change our minds when the time actually comes!
Relax. Just read everything and you will be fine. Your school website should have a calendar of events and backup info as well. p.s. I joined PTO(PTA) the spring before Kindergarten. Go to a PTA meeting if you can and you will know more than you ever thought possible.
I’m finding I have to read this stuff at least 3 times before I catch it all. And I’m relying on my neighbors to help me even though I’m sure they think I’m a nut!
You’re so cute. This was me three years ago. 😉
And if you are really worried about missing those things you know they make an app for that, right? Or at least I’m pretty sure they do… ;-P I also keep a notebook of all the important papers and reminders which is really helpful now that I have two in school (My second starts Kinder tomorrow!)
Good Luck Momma, I’m sure you’ll both have a great year. K is SO much fun! 😀
Since I wrote this, I actually mapped out the important dates for the whole year!! I feel a little better. And we even bought school supplies and new shoes!!
I am a couple years behind you but I know I will be freaking out too! I am hoping that preschool will prepare both of us. Good luck! You will BOTH do great!
FYI – I mildly freaked out about preschool too. But mostly I thought it was cute. Like pretend school. I’ll admit, though, it is a good transition.
[…] grade has been a significant year for us, much like second grade and kindergarten were. It was one of the years that shaped me and that was something I told Evan over and over […]