Starting School
Posted at 10:49 am on August 26, 2009 by Farrah
Ready or not… here he goes. My little guy starts preschool next week. My hubby and I have been working with him all summer to get him ready- Talking it up, potty training, etc… And now with just about a week to go, I am thinking that I should have concentrated less on prepping him and more on prepping myself.
He is SO excited. He talks about his teacher and all the fun things he will do and the new toys he will get to play with. And I am excited too. I labored over this decision and visited about a dozen different schools before I picked this one for him. I love the school and the teacher and I know he will be well-nurtured and taught there. My school-anxiety has really nothing to do with the school. It has everything to do with the starting.
This is just another transition in the long list of transitions that go with growing up and raising kids. I get that. 
Starting school is one of those rites of passage that I would never want to derail. It is an important day for him, for me. I am just not sure I am ready to see my little boy walk into his classroom and see the door close- him on one side and me on the other. Maybe I am sounding too dramatic. It isn’t as if I am leaving him forever. But this will be the first time he is on his own, without mommy or daddy or grandma there to protect him. What if someone steals his book or pushes him on the slide? He’s my baby and it is breaking my heart just a little that we are already here. Starting school- yikes! He is a mommy’s boy who loves to be by my side. He is a bit afraid of heights and prefers to just sit and read books and do puzzles. He is also kinda shy with people he doesn’t know. Will they know these things about him and take the best care of him? Will they protect his sweet little soul? Everything in me wants to shield him just a little longer, to keep him in my lap and hold him tight. But, I know it is the right time for him to put his toes into the world of school. He is smart and active and will do well in this new environment. I know it is the best decision for him and our family. I just have to convince my heart that he is still my little boy and that starting school won’t change that. I KNOW that is true… but somehow that hasn’t translated down to my heart yet. He is growing up… he is starting this process that will eventually lead to him leaving. Ok.. now I really am being dramatic. 
I know that a lot of schools around here started yesterday or maybe today. How are you feeling about your kids starting school or maybe going back after a nice summer off? Does your heart feel anxious like mine or does this starting become old hat after awhile? I would love to know… to maybe calm my school-anxiety a bit.
Ready or not… here we go.
Right there with you, sister! I am sad every time my oldest (10) goes through a transition–I am extremely proud of him, of course, it’s just that it all goes so quickly. I also extrapolate to the time that the kids will leave home (and cry!)My husband thinks that is so silly! Maybe it’s a mom thing. It seems a lot easier to watch the second child make the transitions – at least for me. Good luck with preschool. I’m sure you both will love it!