I don’t get it. I consider myself a pretty tough Mother. I
kill spiders, I let my kids climb trees without wincing, I’m no sissy. However
the mere mention of Big A entering kindergarten has had me in tears for the
last few weeks. My sweet co-worker asked me about Big A starting school and I
was reduced to tears right in the middle of the office.
Last year when he entered Pre-School I was fine; tough as
nails, excited for his new adventures. The first day as I smiled and waved him
on his way Jeff was wiping away tears. I have come to realize that I was
tough there because of a couple of factors. First off he was only gone half a
day, twice a week, no biggie. Secondly and I think more importantly It was my
choice. Like signing him up for little league or soccer, I was choosing to send
him on this adventure. Now kindergarten is upon us. It is still half day here
in Utah (thankfully!) but every day. I really don’t even think that is the
issue it’s that whether or not I like it my little boy will be in school most every
day for the next 13 YEARS…until he is
not a little boy any more.
I guess I have always thought of this early stage with the
kids as “my” time. Ever since he was a cooing babe in my arms it was just me
and him. We are best buddies, greatest pals, going on grand (and silly not so
grand) adventures. I am the coolest person to him, hanging out with me is the
BEST. It is the perfect time because to me hanging out with him is the BEST. I
can’t think of a better day than playing Legos or “zombie hunter” or hiding “treasure
“ in the yard, picnics in the tree house or endless snowball fights or watching
“Scooby Doo” for the zillionth time. Sheer bliss to this mom.
Now with actually full time school starting I know that will
never be the same again. He will meet the “cool” kids and not want to be seen
hugging his mom. Hanging with his buddies will be way more fun than hanging
with Mom. He will learn so much so fast and he won’t be coming to me for all the
answers anymore. My importance will drop.
I know that we will still have great adventures and probably
watch Scooby Doo another zillion times together. I know (for now at least) he
wants to come snuggling in with me in the wee hours of the morning. I know that
we are still best buddies. But I also know that it will never be quite the same
as it was. When he was my baby this day seemed eons away. I always thought that
this time, this “us” time would seem to last forever. Now it is but a moment
from then and it’s over.
As I watched him line up and walk into his new class biting
his inner lip like he does when he is slightly nervous all I could think was “
Buddy, this is going to be AWESOME, you are going to LOVE all your new
knowledge and adventures, don’t be worried.” I helped him settle into the classroom with
all the other parents, click, clicking away until he started doing his fakey “quit
taking my picture” smile. I saw him settle in on the rug with his nice new
teacher and get at ease with the other weary kids surrounding him. I saw him
smile a real smile as he and the other kids waved good-bye to their families as
we left to let them start their day. I quickly grabbed my sunglasses to cover
the tears as they ran down my cheeks as I left my “Buddy” and walked to the
car.
Pardon my rant here. I have turned into one of those
blubbering Moms I swore I would never be.
Tomorrow I'll post all Big A's First Day of School photos
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