My baby boy starts kindergarten in September. That's just a few months away. I'm very emotional about this, because I'm just not ready. Not at all. My baby boy, my first born son, is going to start school in the fall. How can that be? How can this little baby be ready for school already?
I was reading a 'Kindergarten Readiness' checklist the other day, and here are some things on the list:
Speaks in complete sentences most of the time - yup.
Understands and follows directions with at least two steps - yup.
Understands vocabulary related to direction, size and comparison - yup.
Makes simple predictions and comments about a story being read - yup.
Participates in repeating a familiar song, poem and/or nursery rhyme - yup.
Matches three letters with the sounds they make - yup.
Demonstrates independence in personal car - yup.
Copies figures such as circle, straight line, etc. - yup.
Hops, jumps, runs - yup.
Interacts with other children - yup.
Separates from parents by appearing comfortable and secure without parent. UM. No!
Now... this is what scares me. This is where I think it's going to be really hard for both of us! I'm not ready to leave him alone! Sure, he runs off to play with his friends and cousins, but I'm always close. Like, in another room. He's never been by himself - he's always had either me or his father or my mom or grandmother or mother-in-law with him. How hard of an adjustment is this going to be for us? For him? I know everyone goes to school, and everyone adjusts over time, and there may be tears the first few days, and he will eventually love school -but I'm worried about those first few days where I have to be the brave and confident parent and just leave my son at school. Without me. And what if I don't like his teacher? Then what? Clearly, I'm not prepared for this next very big step in his life.
We talk about school, and I know he's ready in many ways. But those first few days are going to be tough. I'm thinking of taking time off work so I can hide in the bushes at his school. You know. To make sure he's okay. Or maybe I'll just quit my job altogether and be a 'teacher's helper' - think that would work?
How did you deal when your child started school? Was it harder than you thought... or an easy transition?
Comments
I think being there to talk about it and share in his nervousness and excitement is all you can do. And know that you will both get through this :-) This is an exciting time.
Now if I can only remember that when my baby goes to school in 2010!
I wonder if there's some kind of program (like at Mothercraft?) you can tap into. Even if it's for an hour once a week during the summer. Who knows. It might make a difference!
Our school does gradual entry into Jr and Sr. kindergarten too. Does yours? I think it might help!
We start pre-school in the Fall, and it's only 2 days a week for 2.5 hours each of those 2 days. I'm hoping this is going to be a small enough transition that she and I can both handle.
Seriously... WE ARE NEVER APART! Only when I have to work a wedding, and even then she is still home with her Dad. She has NEVER had a babysitter... other than my parents!
Like cabadov said, each child is different. We expected major problems from our oldest son this year, as he had major separation anxiety in the past, but he was FINE and hopped on the school bus and never said BOO! I put both he and my second son (starting J/K in this fall, too) in preschool two mornings a week a year before school started to get them ready for the transition. I would see if there is some type of program you can put him in over the summer where he is dropped off for a while.
It IS hard, but I can guarantee you it will always go better than you think it will. He will fine, and you will be fine, I promise. :)
p.s. one nice thing to do is send him to school with a keepsake and maybe a small picture of his family to keep in his bag to get whenever he needs it. Many teachers recommend this and it really, really helps some children adjust.
Thank you all SO MUCH for these comments. I'm going to read them over and over again until that day in September where I have to pretend to be a tough mom!
Andrea, I will see if there are any Mothercraft programs near us. Or even a summer camp for a few hours a day during the summer at one of the neighbourhood community centres.
Chantal, I think he might also be wondering 'why' he just can't stay at home... kind of sad!
Okay so to all your awesome moms who will be going through this in September too - at least we're not alone, right? There should be some great blog posts to read in September, huh?
Thanks again, everyone!
Ps. I can't find your e-mail address. Can you e-mail me so I have it?
I have to say, I got quite a laugh when I imagined you crouching in the bushes. But I bet I would consider doing the exact same thing. :-)
I will say, it all works out. He will do fine, and so will you - eventually ;)
ps: My husband's answer to it all: I should homeschool ;)
I pray it's an easy transition for ALL of us! : )
My kids aren't in the school system, but I remember hearing that one test we have to see if they're ready for school is to see if they can skip. Skip?!? What an odd criteria.
I am sad about Mouse starting grade 1 next year, I will miss her during the full days that she is at school. Bug is very excited to begin JK and because it's only half days I'm okay with her going.
The teachers were great. Maybe you could talk to the teacher in advance about your concerns and see what suggestions he/ she has.
What finally helped was talking a lot about the routine of school (she was having trouble with the transitions from one activity to another) and also she took a small stuffed animal with her. I think it helped to have something from home with her. It made her more confident. Now she loves school, but any disruptions, like travel, can make her not want to go again.
Leaving him in the school yard just about killed me. Apple was only a couple of days old so I was already a little emotional but, he stood halfway between his teacher and me. I knew he was scared, but we kept giving each other the thumbs up. He didn't cry, but I did.
He made it and it was hard. He wouldn't let me leave him at the yard (JK & SK have a fenced in yard at our school) and walk away until November. Now, he barely waves.
I can't believe how much he has grown in his almost two years at school, there are good days and bad days for both of us. Next year is grade 1 and I know it will be a huge adjustment for both of us again.
Oh yes, and he has never stayed with anyone other than family until he started school and got a best friend or two, he has now gone for play dates without me, yet another thing to get used to. Can't wait for his first sleepover.. oh yes I can!
I guess what you're all saying is - it's going to be way more TOUGH for us - more than it will be for the little ones! Still... sigh.... :(
Thanks again for your wounderful comments!
I think my solution is going to be to send him to 3 day a week (2 hours a day) preschool when he is 4 so that he gets used to being *at school* and they get used to being away from each other.
Good Luck!
Definitely try to find a drop off camp of some kind, or a drop off summer class. It will help him get used to it, and with a shorter class time he'll know that you will be there to pick him up.
Stiff upper lip and all that, Mommy! They read us all too well. If you are anxious for him, he will know.
Hugs!
I think you'll do great - take time off, do whatever you have to do the transition the best way you can.
I don't know how I'm going to deal with it. Luckily, I have a few more years to go before I have to even think about it!