“I hate kindergarten!”
I heard this bold (and completely unqualified) statement several times leading up to the first day of school for Biz.
“But how do you know you hate kindergarten if you haven’t experienced it yet?”
I knew the answer to this question, of course, because I’m his mom. And he’s just like me. Skeptical of the unknown. Fighting what others want or expect him to do. Yet knowing, in the back of his mind, that everything will be fine.
He was nervous, not knowing what to expect. He just moved into a new place with his mom, brother and dog. Without his dad and his other dog.
We’re just about settled in, but his room still needs organizing.
He’s got a big playground behind his new house with lots of new kids to play with, but it can be overwhelming.
He looks around and sees his friends with both parents together.
We said good-bye to a daycare he’s been at since he was 8 weeks old, where the owner slept over our house on Thanksgiving night to take care of his big brother while I gave birth to him.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in what’s going on with yourself and forget what the kids are going through.
Everything I’ve done in the past six months has been for my boys, yet the start of school reminds me of how fragile they really are.
It was pure torture for Biz to watch his big brother G start fourth grade while he had to wait to start kindergarten.
It was pure torture for me to get him to walk with us down the road to the school and get used to our new commute in the morning. We’d drop G off and then walk over to Biz’s school. A practice run to make sure I could get both to school on time.
I don’t know what Chinese water torture feels like, but I think it’s similar to walking with Biz to school. He dragged his feet behind us and complained the whole way, playing with sticks and acorns he found on the side of the road, as I yelled back to him that we had to keep moving. School had an actual schedule we had to adhere to.
When “family day” finally came, we waited for the bus together.
And we rode the bus together. His dad was there too. It was awkward, but it worked. We spent an hour at the school and then went back home. The next day, he went for a half day. We celebrated with lunch at Johnny Rockets, just me and my strong-willed boy.
Yesterday, he started his first full week of kindergarten. He was excited.
Just like his strong-willed mom. He may not like the process or the expectations, but he knew what he had to do. He walked into kindergarten and killed it. He enjoyed the bus, made a friend, and used the “colonel” at school (where you pee standing up in the boys room).
It wasn’t so bad after all.
follow jennifer
Aww, so happy Biz had a great first full day and really just can’t believe our kids are in kindergarten and growing up right before our eyes!! 🙂
Crazy, isn’t it Janine?!
Oh, I’m so happy Biz had a good first day…kindergarten is an exciting time…I remember feeling so sad when they got on the bus for that first time at school. This year I have a kid driving. That first day made me nervous as well.
That would make me super nervous, Michelle. It never stops, does it?
Strong and resilient … you taught him well. So many changes, so much for a little heart to hold onto. Hang in there Mama, you are doing good xxx
Thank you, my friend. You are doing good with your girls too. xoxo
Change can be hell. Both he and you handled it like champs. May he continue to embrace school and thrive!
Thank you, Kelly! 🙂
I have that same streak of resistance sometimes. So wonderful to see Biz got through it with the love and support of his mama. 🙂
It was a rough week, but we got through it. He’s loving kindergarten now. The walk is still tortuous though. Baby steps…
So glad he is liking kindergarten! Or at least making the best of it. Those are some great pictures of you two!
Thanks, Lisa. 🙂 So far, kindergarten is a big hit!
He killed it! That doesn’t surprise me at all.
I had a lot of changes right before kindergarten when I was a kid, but I still remember it being ok. Probably more than ok!
I just read your post, Tamara. I want to hug you right now!
Oh how I just love this post… so much about it is just so real and raw and beautiful. I love that you knew exactly why and how he was feeling. I love that you met him right there in that place and saw him through yet another change and new challenge. I love that you, his mother- have such an incredibly profound place in his life- his heart- his journey that is full of tricky turns.
He’s gonna be just fine, just like his mama.
( I had seen this earlier, and I just HAD to come read this tonight! I was worried and now, I can sleep. Night love!)
I”m just seeing this comment now. You are just the best, Chris. It’s funny, because he was very difficult this morning because he couldn’t ride his bike (for various reasons). But I got him to school (walking, and with a fight) and he was happy as heck to be there. Then, he ran into my arms when he got off the bus. Parenting is such a roller coaster ride!
Yay for a successful first day of kindergarten for Biz! I’m so far away from this with Eve, so I hadn’t really thought much about what a big deal this is, but it’s been very eye-opening (and good to think about for the future) after reading these posts by you, Janine and Tamara.
Kindergarten is such a huge milestone. Especially for the parents! Even my son’s kindergarten teacher teared up when she introduced herself to the kids and families. She noted how it goes so fast and she’s so happy to be a part of our children’s lives. So sweet!
We are sending our oldest (Gray) to kindergarden next year… your writings gave me pause but also a reminder that all though it can never be as easy as we would like… It usually turns out all right…
Thanks
Darn right he killed it!
Wanted to stop in and say hello!!
It sounds like you’re all settling into your new life!
As for me, I can’t WAIT til grad school is finished: 2.5 months. and then freedom! Freedom to write again. And see my writing friends!
Sending you hugs!
Stopping by from Mommy needs a time out! Thank you for linking up! I love this post! I am sure I will be hearing similar when my son starts kindergarten next year! Be sure to link up next week!
Thanks,
Goofball Mommy
http://www.goofballmommy.com