School is starting and many parents find themselves sending a child to school for the first time. For a parent this can be challenging. Up to this point you have been able to shelter your child. You have controlled the children and adults that he associates with. You have been there to praise, help, and discipline her. Now you are turning that control over to someone else. You wonder will my child behave? Will she be able to make friends? Will anyone pick on her? Will he be at the top or the bottom of his class? With all of the questions it is no wonder that many parents find it difficult to send their child to kindergarten.
In fact realizing how hard it can be my son’s school serves juice and muffins to all the parents of the kindergarteners. Parents can take their child to class then stand around outside and cry over their cup of juice. Finding comfort in the fact that all of the other parents are doing the same thing. But as a parent you just have to believe that you have taught your child and that with your love and support they will succeed.
The first day of kindergarten I drove my son. He reluctantly agreed, because he really wanted to ride the bus. I told him he could ride the bus the next day, but the first day I wanted to take him. (He was my oldest child and there was no way I was going to let him get on the bus the first day of school.)
We had already visited his school, met his teacher, and found his desk. So when we arrived he was confident he knew what he was doing. He gave me a quick hug, followed by a “Bye mom.” Then he ran (yes ran) down the sidewalk to the playground. He didn’t even look back. I on the other hand watched him until he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. A tear escaped my eye as it hit me that he was actually not my little boy anymore. He was growing up.
As I sipped my cup of juice and ate my muffin I watched the other parents and their children. Some like my son were confident and willingly ran to meet this new change in their life. Others clung to their parent’s hands, sobbing, refusing to let go. I realized then that I would much rather have my son take off running then be afraid.
As we got into the car to go home, my daughter Alysta started crying, “Tyler! We can’t leave Tyler!” As I explained to her that we weren’t leaving Tyler that he was just going to school and would be home later that day I had to remind myself as well. It wasn’t the end of the world – he was just going to kindergarten. I’ll save the end of the world stuff for when he goes to college.