So my son, my one and only child, started kindergarten today. I thought I was all prepared and ready to go; proud because I had everything set- and anyone who knows me, realizes just how disorganized I am (I am in fact the person who misplaces her keys on an almost daily basis, despite having a place to put them) . His lunch and snack were prepared the night before, backpack was packed, forms not only completed but snug in a folder with his “Home lunch” ticket and book to share with the class, and we even picked out his clothes the night before. But then morning came.
Everything was good until mid-way through breakfast. He was sitting at the kitchen table having grilled cheese and fruit and I double-checked his bag, occasionally reminding him to “eat more, talk less”, when a bus went by. I have to admit, I almost panicked. I thought he had missed the bus and I would have to drive him to school- but suddenly I had no idea what time I was allowed to drop him off at school or even what time school started. I dashed to the computer and checked the bus times to realize that it was the older elementary school kids. But, despite the fact that his bus was scheduled its route at 8:00, I rushed him outside at 8 so we “wouldn’t miss the bus” and watched down the street as my son chattered with his grandparents- who had come to see him off also. I rechecked the bus schedule twice and worried out-loud whether the school had indeed done the change in pick-up location and if my son would end-up on the correct bus in the afternoon.
The bus came and he got on the bus- the driver even knew his name and explained that kindergarten kids have to sit in the front. He got on the bus without a care in the world, excited because he liked school- he was in Pre-K last year so I’m not sure he sees this as a milestone; except for the bus thing…he loves riding the bus.
So here I sit, worrying and wondering how his first day is going; did I pack enough food for lunch and snack? Did he get to his classroom okay? Will he get on the correct bus this afternoon? Did he listen to his teacher? Was he too shy to ask questions? Does he miss his friends from daycare? And, most important to me: Is he enjoying himself?
Mostly, I realize that my own stress is because it is a landmark. Kindergarten is a major step towards becoming a self-reliant person. Kindergarten in a sense is where a child takes those lessons is in independency and begins to test and exercise them. It is where he’ll begin to learn how to read- and one step closer to the end of our nightly reading ritual. It doesn’t matter that most of this independency I speak of is years away; it’s the principle of it, a rite of passage. And when he gets off the bus today and tells me about his day while we play or draw or whatever activity he chooses to do, it will all be okay. I’ll know what I already know, he’s ready and he can do it.
(Oh, and I just realized that I forgot to put his nametag on. s---. )
