August 25, 2004
School Days
School Days
The Boy really starts preschool tomorrow, but today we have a couple hours where we can take him to meet his teachers again, meet his classmates (and we can meet their parents) and we can drop off forms and all the spare clothing he needs.
I've mentioned before on other iterations of Curmudgeonry that school has never been on the radar for me. I've planned to homeschool and have been thinking and preparing for that. But a certain little boy had his heart set on a real school (even now he's not sure this qualifies because they don't have a school bus) and I began to realize that with my high maintenance daughter and another baby coming along, this might be the time to consider getting one of them out of the house.
Even I'm excited about his schooling, although I can't quite imagine days without him around me. He'll be playing, doing crafts, and other simple things. He's thrilled that they'll be doing some sewing and woodworking, and I'm pretty sure he's going to love it. He's asked me a million times about all that he'll learn in school.
And so, the clothes are gathered together, we're ready to go to the school and tomorrow my big, little, teeny-tiny, baby boy will be going off to school. Separation is coming hard for one of us, but I'll be ok.
When my boys went to school, I was shocked or perhaps dismayed that I did not know everything about their day. They were having experiences without me! I knew this intellectually, but my heart wasn't ready for it. This is offset by the joy of seeing them learn and grow. Just don't blink your eyes or he'll be heading off to high school.
Posted by: Earth Girl at August 25, 2004 09:17 AMI won't say it's not hard, especially the idea Miss Earth Girl brings up--how dare OTHER people get to see him do all those wonderful things before you!--but we have always made time to get the full debriefing of the day's activities over supper. What they did, what they had for lunch, who got in trouble with the teacher. And we have always tried to stay in touch with the teachers just to catch any other bits of fun that we might miss.
It's not quite like being there, but sometimes with what all goes on, it's sometimes better if events have time to age a bit, and for the humor to emerge. Sorta like standing up in the high chair--at the time it's frustrating, but you will look back on that recollection fondly when you see her standing up on the hood of speeding car. ;)
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 25, 2004 10:03 AMFor some reason, I thought there was something about chocolate chip cookies in that first paragraph. And I JUST ate my lunch. Sigh. Wonder where I can score some chchcs...
Posted by: Lenise at August 25, 2004 12:11 PMSounds like your daughter is ready to follow in the footsteps of Evel Kneivel (hope not!). Those daredevil kids can increase gray hair growth for their parents.
I'll be praying for strength for you. It's great to see your son excited about school, yet it's so difficult to let him go.
Posted by: MarcV at August 25, 2004 12:11 PMOh boy, you're speakin' my language! My 4 yo daughter started preschool on Monday. Every question I asked her was answered with "I don't know.". Ugh!! Except I found out she played in the sandbox during "outside time". I could've figured that out from all the sand that fell out of her shoes, but I'm sure that's another story!
We've started having "share time" right when she comes home. I fix her a little snack (like carrots or raisins or something like that) and we gab. I'm still getting "I don't know"s, but hopefully, she will remember and want to share soon!
Best wishes for a great school year.
PS-My daughter keeps asking me about why the school bus doesn't pick her up. I guess she had the same opinions about the bus as your son. Funny what 4 yos think about!
Posted by: angie at August 25, 2004 03:09 PM
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