In just 2 short weeks, my son is starting Kindergarten…”Big- Kid-School”.
He is ecstatic.
I shared his excitement until I heard a “rumor” that school is starting on September 2nd. I was prepared with the thought of him starting 3 days later, but the 2nd? It too soon, and the panic is setting in.
Just when I think I am getting a handle on this parenting thing, I get thrown back into the newbie pool again… and being a newbie, is a little scary. You see, Kindergarten is uncharted territory to not just my son, but me as a parent also and I find myself worrying about the unknown.
Worrying about what he will learn from “the big kids”, the 5th graders that will be in the same building as my baby and whom he will no doubt idolize. What if they tell him that there is no Santa? … What if they encourage him to use foul language? Up until now, I have had control over everything he is exposed to and taught – day in and day out- giving up part of that control to people, and other children that I do not know- is scary.
Beyond that, I am finding myself worried about more trivial things, like school supplies. And getting more and more agitated by the day that not only have I not received notice of an AM or PM class (eh- em! I’m talking to you, Old Bridge), but I have not received any supply lists either- and feeling unprepared is only adding to my anxieties.
Sure, I can guess my way through the basics- schoolbag, crayons, pencils etc. But you know that on the first day of school- they are going to hand me over a supply list with something completely obscure and very specific; like a LIME GREEN- 3 RINGED- CLOTH PENCIL CASE WITH HIS NAME EMBROIDERED ON IT -and when I get that obscure request (that will undoubtedly be due the next day), I am sure that I will be lugging around my kids from store to store searching the shelves that I am sure by that time will be empty and the 17 year old store associate will look at me like I’m crazy. Like they have NEVER seen or heard of an EMBROID-ABLE- LIME GREEN- 3 RINGED- CLOTH PENCIL CASE. Like their Mother wasn’t in my shoes scouring the stores for one of those just a few years ago.
(Breathe, Breathe)
And as I sit here blogging away my newbie anxiety, my son comes over to me and excitedly asks “Mom, how many days til’ I start Kindergarten?”
(sigh… never let them see you sweat right?)
So, I excitedly reply without skipping a beat- “16 days Ry-bread!”
… 16. Days.
I feel your pain. My son starts Kindergarten on the 8th! UGH!! And he is sooooo excited, me not so much. But you are right, never let them see you sweat!!
I am sure they will be fine, right?
Im sure they will be ok… but its still so nerve wrecking.
Just found out my son will be going on a bus too, so that is now making me even more nervous. I am totally going to be that Mom who follows the bus to and from school for at least the first month. lol
So true-being new again that is. I remember when my first started kindergarten I was so annoyed that no one warned me about feeling so clueless AGAIN! I thought it ended after the baby stage.;)
I’m now starting kindergarten a second time and I’ll tell you it does get easier. I am way more laid back about what supplies he has when because I’ve seen that the teachers are way more lenient than the very specific (and late arriving) supply list might suggest. Good luck-to you both!
I love hearing the words “It does get easier”.
Im sure after the first few weeks I will be ok, its scary to think too though that this is it- school til college. I’ve never wanted to keep him as a baby so much in my life.