Is it just me, or do parents sometimes have a harder time separating from their kids when they go off to “big school”? You hear a lot about how to deal with the situation from the standpoint of how to ease the pain the child might feel but I don’t recall seeing anything written about how to help the parents.
My son Tyler, just finished a week-long program at the school where he will attend Kindergarten in mid-August. The purpose of the program was to transition the child from either a preschool setting or from a home setting. And although he was a little trooper, had a great time and can’t wait to start school, I have to admit I was a little bit upset when he was able to separate from me so easily. A part of me was so proud of him. So proud that he went in and made new friends and impressed the teacher (Teacher after first day, “He’s so smart.” Me beaming with pride, “Thanks, I’ve been teaching him at home this past year.” ) but the other part of me wanted him to cling to my leg like a skirt with static electricity. I wanted him to cry and say, “mama don’t go, don’t leave me here with these, these people!” But noooo, he kissed me each day , took his seat, told me good-bye and forgot I existed (Mama who?).
Mind you, this program lasted for exactly four hours and I was a wreck each day. What am I going to do when he goes for seven hours?
One thing about being a single, older mom with one child is that I think I tend to hover too much. I’ve placed all of my one egg in a basket and want to make sure I don’t break it. Sure, we have had so many fun times together and now I guess I am worried that someone might come in and take my place, this new teacher. No matter that I was the one who lugged him around lo those many months. This is the thanks I get!
It takes only a few minutes for him to redeem himself though. He runs to me with a crumb-covered face and asks me sweetly, “mommy do you feel morning fresh?” and then trots off before I can reply. Obviously the kid watches way too much TV.