My firstborn is starting Kindergarten.
That sentence alone should tell you exactly what my emotional state is like right now.
I keep thinking to myself, “Thirteen years. That’s all we’ve got left. Thirteen short, precious years.”
Maybe that’s melodramatic, but I don’t care. See, I’m one of these moms that enjoys being with my children. I enjoy their presence, the routine, the activities, the daily grind, and the very blessing that I have in being a stay-at-home mom.
When I first began my career as a teacher, I wanted it to be just that– a career. I had no plans to take any breaks from teaching, and I wanted to hit that 30 year mark to retirement exactly 30 years after I began.
But life happened. Children happened. And I suddenly realized that I didn’t want my children in daycare and that the Lord was leading me in a whole new direction. And stay-at-home Mom I became.
And now that it’s my baby starting school, I am all mixed with sadness, excitement, anticipation and nerves. He’s cool and calm– I’m biting my nails to the quick.
Will he like school? Will he excel? Will his teacher have the kindness, patience, and goodness of heart to deal with his train obsession? Will he make friends? Will he enjoy the next thirteen years?
I’m working through the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I’m sure many of you are familiar with it. A recent devotion started off with RELAX.
Okay, so God was speaking to me. It went on to say, “When you walk through the day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in me.”
This sentence made me think of my son and his happy-go-lucky personality. He’s going to be great in Kindergarten. It’s me who needs to relax.
I’m hearing ya, God, and I’m trusting. But do me a favor– slow down the next thirteen years a little. And I promise to try very hard not to cry (a lot) when I walk Big Man into his classroom the first day.
Share with Me: What was kindergarten like for you? Do you remember your teacher’s name? Did you go all day, 5 days a week? When your children started school, how did it affect you emotionally? Do you remember your mother’s emotions when you started school?
Hale and Hearty Words 
I do remember my kindergarten teacher, and I actually ran into her a couple of months ago! She remembered me even though I was in her class 30 years ago! Last year my babies started kindergarten at the very same school I went to. I got to walk past my kindergarten class every day when I walked them to their classes. I thought I would be very emotional when they started, but held up surprisingly well. It is hard to believe that it was a year ago that I was walking them to their kindergarten classes, and that they are in first grade now. I feel exactly the same way that you do, that my time left with them is so short. They are pretty much 1/3 of the way through their school years. They are 6 years old today. I cannot believe how these 6 years have flown by!
Oh, and I am also working my way through "Jesus Calling" for the second time. What a great little book, and it always seems to say just what I need to hear when I need to hear it!
Oh, I feel your pain. My one and only miracle baby is starting kindergarten on Thursday. She's more than ready. Me? Not so much. I can't believe how fast these years have went. I tried very hard not to take staying home with her for granted, but I still feel like I could have done more.Thanks for sharing!
I think what all mothers share in common when faced with this milestone is the realization of how quickly it has arrived! I'm going to blink and we'll be moving him in at college. Gulp.
I will never forget when R started kindergarten. Wesley and I both wanted to take her. He went in to work a little late so we could all go together. She waved and walked excitedly into her new classroom. I will never forget walking down that long hallway with kids pushing into us, all sorts of emotions flowing through the halls on the first day of school. Wesley leaned over, put his arm around me and whispered in my ear, "Well I know my daughter is ok-now how is her mama?" and the tears I was trying so hard to hold back came to the surface just a little. It was a moment I will never forget!