Call me heartless, but I really don't think I'll cry when my kids go to kindergarten. I've been seeing all of this back-to-school business all over blogs and FB and I just don't get it. Why is everyone crying?
Granted, I imbibed a little bit of the Back-to-School Beer with yesterday's post, but I'm only human, right? I mostly did it because the bags and Hailey's outfit were so cute! Shallow, ain't I?
Here's my take on sending kids to school. That's what you've worked so hard for 5 years to be able to do. That is your job as a parent...to ready them for the outside world. You have exposed them to music, books, animals, parks, libraries, gymnastics classes, family (the other f-word), other kids, dance classes, Mommy and Me classes, and everything in between to ensure that when they go into Kindergarten, they will feel comfortable and be happy. So, what are you crying for?
Are you crying because you want another baby?
Are you crying because you're lonely?
Are you crying because you can't believe your "baby" has grown up so quickly?
Are you crying because your house will be so quiet?
Are you crying because your entire life has been this child and you have nothing to do now?
Are you crying because you're proud?
Are you crying because you're exhausted?
Are you crying from happiness because you can walk home from the bus stop and enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee?
I'm not saying that I'll never cry...never say never, right?
What I'm wondering is why is everyone crying? Why are you all so sad? What am I missing?
This should be a happy and joyous moment in your child's development. Celebrate yourselves!!! With your help and constant guidance, they have made it to the point in their life where they are able to get on that bus, shoot you a huge smile, and make it through an entire day without you...happily. Job well done, Parents! It's been a long and arduous 5 years, but you've done your job! Go have a beer (yes, at 8 AM...okay, maybe a mimosa)!!!
A week from Monday, I'll be dropping the Crazies off at their 2's program for two whole hours. I am unsure of my reaction at this point, but I believe that a good amount of my soul will feel some relief. I will have reached the point in my parenting where I deserve a little bit of a break and where my kids are well taken care of by someone else...and learning things that they may not learn from me.
The Crazies may cling a little bit at first, but they'll be ushered in by very caring teachers and will find something to do and will forget all about me for 2 whole hours. Good for them...enjoy it, Crazies! Before you know it, you'll be back with me again...life's a bitch, huh?
Ummm...Please Don't Steal My Craziness...Okay? Thanks!
People I Love...follow along if you're so inclined!
11 comments:
I'll be crying like a baby that first day of Kindergarden and so should you!
We'll have to go back to work!! How horrible!!
TOTALLY laughing. I had a party every time my older three went off the school.
The difference between those times and this time is that I always still had kids at home. Just less of them.
This year I sent TWO off at once, which was harder, but they were my last two and it really threw me for a loop.
I totally cried the night before because.
1. It's the end of a phase. ALL of my kids are in school now. They are growing up and much as I love it, it's sad.
2. It's time for me to do something else, and the fear of failing is hard. :)
Change is hard. :)
Love the idea of a mimosa after you drop your kiddos off at school for the first time! I'm gonna have to remember that! :)
I am not a crier with stuff like this, although if I were to cry about my kids going to school it would be because it requires me to get up so early in the morning LOL
I'll cry, I admit it.
I'll cry because no one can take care of my kids the way I can.
I'll cry because other kids can be incredibly mean.
I'll cry because it's hard to only be five years old while you maneuver your way through a strange building, with new routines and strangers.
I'll cry because I worry.
It's who I am :)
Why did I cry? I didn't when I took my son to Kindergarten last year, or preschool. But this year was different. I was sad because he would be gone all day, 9-4pm, that is a long time. I knew he was ready but I was going to miss him.
I was worried about him finding his way to class, buying his milk for lunch, getting back on the bus, meeting new friends. Some were silly things.
But all of it added up to me crying...just a little...because my oldest was gone all day.
I have to say when I dropped my little fella at school for the first time I did get a twinge. I couldn't imagine how he was going to 'self-cater' for a whole day. But he did and he does.
School transforms them before your eyes. All that development (and so much from the influence of their teacher and peers and not you) makes them barely recognisable at the end of each week.
It is a very exciting time, but I still get a twinge every now and then that my baby isn't all mine anymore :)
Family - the "Other F word!" LOVE IT!!!! ha!
I have to admit, I've shed tears while dropping off the kids at daycare - often out of mommy guilt or b/c my own kiddo is crying (1 or 2 of the 3 cry at least 2 days a week! seriously kids! give mommy a break!)
I think when school comes, I'll be a tiny bit sad to realize they are growing up so fast but in other ways RELIEVED that they are old enough to be in school and away from me all day for a reason (taking off some of the guilt for me being gone at work all day).
Good luck with this big step for your two!
LOL I didn't cry first day back to work and I don't think I'll cry when they go to school...but I may be wrong.
They are, after all, my one and only chance at children...
Oh, I totally cried. But I'm a sap like that.
To answer your question... I cried because it's such a symbolic thing to send my little love out into the world on his own. To realize I can't protect him forever. To know that my time with him is short. To realize how quickly time has gone by and know that I'll never get it back and understand that, too soon, the day is going to come when I have to send him off to college.
But then again, like I said, I'm a sap like that. :)
I cried because it is an end to when they are just playing, napping, pooping, and eating. Now they have a job to do..and from kindergarten it is college or the work force. Life will never be as easy and worry free as before they were in kindergarten and watching him get herded into the school I realized what that meant...because I experienced it and have lived the ups and downs from that moment. I know just some of the joys and pains he is going to have to experience. You most likely will cry...at some point.
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