Caleb, you make me so proud! :)
I didn't think that I'd struggle on that first day! I'd taken him to a 5-day half-day pre-kinder program last year, and dropping him off was no problem at all. Surely this would be the same... right?
I accompanied him to the gym for the first day orientation, and I tagged along as his class went to the room. He was so grown up and observed everything. It didn't phase him that his name had not been called for his class and in lunch count later (late transfer-in, therefore, not everyone had the complete roster), but it phased me! I was fine until I got in my car. Then the silly thoughts flooded in: I'm leaving my sweet boy in the hands of people I don't know! (though they are excellent) He might get overlooked or left out because they don't have his name on all the lists! (I've taught before; I know better.) The growing up process is officially beginning, and there's no way I can slow it down! boo hoo hoo hoo!
Yes, I cried. I got over it, but I cried. Me! The rock, the calm one (ha to both!)...
He looked so grown up when I picked him up that afternoon.
On the fifth day of school, I came and sat with him at lunch. He was a pro at the lunch room! I came again four school days later. It was then that one of the cafeteria aides stopped me and said that he had a tough time every day at lunch. :( ...that he missed me and even cried some.
I realized quickly that lunch was the point that marked the longest time he'd been away from home during the day. We talked that afternoon, and I explained that instead of getting sad at lunch, he could realize that lunch meant it was almost time to see us again! It could be a happy signal, and he wouldn't have to be sad and miss me! He really liked that idea.
The next day, I picked him up and asked how the day (especially lunch) had gone. His answer? "Mama, I didn't miss you at all!" with a big smile.
Rats. I proceeded to tell him it was ok to miss me a little. :)
I didn't think that I'd struggle on that first day! I'd taken him to a 5-day half-day pre-kinder program last year, and dropping him off was no problem at all. Surely this would be the same... right?
I accompanied him to the gym for the first day orientation, and I tagged along as his class went to the room. He was so grown up and observed everything. It didn't phase him that his name had not been called for his class and in lunch count later (late transfer-in, therefore, not everyone had the complete roster), but it phased me! I was fine until I got in my car. Then the silly thoughts flooded in: I'm leaving my sweet boy in the hands of people I don't know! (though they are excellent) He might get overlooked or left out because they don't have his name on all the lists! (I've taught before; I know better.) The growing up process is officially beginning, and there's no way I can slow it down! boo hoo hoo hoo!
Yes, I cried. I got over it, but I cried. Me! The rock, the calm one (ha to both!)...
He looked so grown up when I picked him up that afternoon.
On the fifth day of school, I came and sat with him at lunch. He was a pro at the lunch room! I came again four school days later. It was then that one of the cafeteria aides stopped me and said that he had a tough time every day at lunch. :( ...that he missed me and even cried some.
I realized quickly that lunch was the point that marked the longest time he'd been away from home during the day. We talked that afternoon, and I explained that instead of getting sad at lunch, he could realize that lunch meant it was almost time to see us again! It could be a happy signal, and he wouldn't have to be sad and miss me! He really liked that idea.
The next day, I picked him up and asked how the day (especially lunch) had gone. His answer? "Mama, I didn't miss you at all!" with a big smile.
Rats. I proceeded to tell him it was ok to miss me a little. :)
oh wow...it's amazing that i can still get tears in my eyes about this subject. will we ever get used to it?
ReplyDeletei know that i don't see him often, but caleb seems like such a sweet, kind-hearted, funny little boy! i understand why you are proud of him. i am sure that his school year is going just as fantastic as macy's. give him a big squeeze from dallas...
I had tears reading this...I CAN'T BELIEVE he is in kindergarten! He sure is a cute kid and just from what I read...very smart too! He is also very funny...I love reading about his stories on the blog! Give both of those kiddos a hug for us! Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteAwww...that makes me want to cry too!! I hear parenting is rough - you want to raise your kids to be independent, but that hurts :( My mom once told me she'd clearly done too good of a job ;) ha!
ReplyDeleteMiss you all!
I DREAD that first day! I know I will boo hoo a lot!
ReplyDelete