Joined: May 10, 2006
Posts: 1641
Location: South East Alabama
Birthday: May 24 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:11 pm
My little girl (my 1st child of 2) will begin Kindergarten tomorrow.. I have stayed home with her all of this time and am really taking this hard, am I the only one living with this sadness... does it go away... I know I am going to be a basketcase at school tomorrow... any tips!?
Texas_Rose Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 26, 2008
Posts: 892
Location: San Antonio, TX
Believe me, it's totally normal to feel that way...at my daughter's school, they actually have a Boo-Hoo Breakfast for the kindergarten parents the first day of school, right after the kids get dropped off. They hand out little packs of kleenex and hershey's kisses
My daughter started kindergarten last year and she'd never been in daycare, pre-k or even mother's day out. It was a real adjustment for us, especially because I didn't feel like the school took very good care of her (actually, toward the end of the school year I had to go talk to the principal because my daughter had a concussion and they had just sent her back to class, didn't call me, no note, etc...). Anyhow, I think I got the school straightened out on taking care of her at least as well as I do at home.
I think one of the hardest things for me was seeing my daughter learn new habits or mannerisms or even develop a new attitude, and know that she was taking on someone else's personality, even though she'd always done all of her learning from me before.
I may homeschool my younger daughter...she's not growing normally and if she's still this small in two years, no way am I trusting the school to take care of her.
Anyhow, your little guy might be sad because his sister's not home, too. I know my younger one was heartbroken for the first few weeks. We got in the habit of doing something fun after we dropped her sister off...going to the duckpond, playground, McDonalds for an ice cream cone, etc...
hellie0h Frequent Member
Joined: Oct 27, 2006
Posts: 379
Location: Lancaster, Ohio
Birthday: Nov 19
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:36 pm
Letting go of your child at any age is hard, and as you see how well she adjusts to being there, I think your sadness will be compensated with joy in watching her grow and learn and then pride, in her accomplishments.
It was harder for me watching my sons stand at the alter getting married...remembering that first day of school, all the scraped knees, the goodnight hugs and kisses...to be nevermore.
Enjoy all the "first's" time has a way of slipping by ever so quickly. Hugs to mommy letting go.
Bless your heart!!! Been there, done that. Yes it is hard to let them go...but after the first day when she comes home all safe and sound and totally worn out...you'll feel better. And hellieOh is so right...treasure this and all the other first's to come. Time goes so fast...too fast!!! God Bless!!! Linda
lanibird Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 658
Location: Melting in the West Texas Sun
Birthday: Apr 24 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:21 pm
Oh, I remember that feeling. It will get better. I was so mopey when my son first started school. He was in pre-k, and only half a day, so I would get excited when it was time to pick him up! Eventually I stopped being so mopey, plus it was nice to be able to run errands with out so many "Mom can I have?"'s and was able to spend some one on one time with DD who was still a baby at the time. He's in 2nd grade now, and I still miss him when he's gone, but I was counting down the days till he went back! I've got three little monkeys, and when they are together it is crazy loud, lots of fighting, couch cushions into forts, and chaos in this house!
DD will start pre-k next year, and she's the one I'm nervous about! Not because I'll miss her, which I will, but she is little Miss-Independent-Attitude-Pay Attention to Me-I'm the Queen-Take No Crap From Anyone! I just know she's not gonna be bullied because she's gonna be the bully!
And like a pp said, it's such a joy to see their accomplishments. When I pick DS up from school he just jabbers on and on about what he learned that day. And I cried when I got my first school made Mother's Day gift! Best bookmark I ever got!
SugarBakerz Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 10, 2006
Posts: 1641
Location: South East Alabama
Birthday: May 24 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:25 pm
thanks for the nudges of acceptance and it will be okay... I worry so much because she is so tiny... she is 5 and weighs 28 pounds.... she is normal in height just low in weight, but they don't know why! I have to by 12-18 month pants to allow her to have legal length shorts.. hehehehehehehehe! She is so bossy and winey sometimes I am afraid she will get picked on for those reasons. I live in the South and here they still have paddling in schools.... if allowed by parents... If i allowed that, my child would see that thing everyday God love her, she is a sweetheart but very strong willed, and I chalk it up to her being so smile... sort of like the little big man complex!
jpcs Junior Member
Joined: Feb 24, 2008
Posts: 23
Location: Ohio
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:34 pm
Just wait until Kindergarten graduation or any concerts/shows they put on during the year! I am a mess when it comes to that! Good luck tommorow!
ziggytarheel Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 26, 2007
Posts: 427
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:38 pm
I've got one about to leave for his second year of college and the other just graduated, teaching school, and about to move out. And I promise you, it really does feel like yesterday for the first day of school! I stayed at home as well, and I loved every minute of it. Just suited me perfectly.
Kindergarten wasn't that hard for me. I think because I loved school myself, so I had been excited FOR my kids all along and made it all seem like a great adventure for them. It is exciting when you look at their growing up that way...all the ways they get to feel all big and grown up and the new things they get to do. School supply shopping, picking out a backpack, figuring out what to wear the first day...those were big exciting fun things to do with them in those early years.
Now, going to middle school and high school? And then, helping them pack up their stuff and LEAVE me? I thought my heart was gonna rip out of my chest! I seriously had to remember to STILL look at this as something GREAT for them, an adventure, full of wonder and fun. It really helps the kids when you do this, and it probably helps mom even more.
I had a little routine every first day of school. I only worked part time after the youngest started school, so I could do this:
I looked at it as an opportunity to get my act together. I figured dinner out early and made something special. I did some extra cleaning and organizing. For the first day, I even had a homemade snack ready for them when they got home. It made me feel great about the new school year and I found that my kids really picked up on me having a fresh happy start to the school year.
And, since I was only working part time, I did volunteer regularly at the elementary school. I tutored high risk kids who had some real reading or math problems. I didn't necessarily always see my kids when I did that (sometimes I was in their classroom, but often I wasn't), but I was at the school, saw how things worked, got to know the staff, etc. That was a great thing for me to do, as I could do something helpful a few hours a week and be a part of their school. The kids loved that I was there, even if they didn't see me.
psurrette Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 02, 2005
Posts: 845
Location: Bridgewater, MA
Birthday: Feb 27 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:40 pm
Oh it will pass. I did the same thing. However my son went to school the day of Sept 11 and I was so scared. He is going into 5th grade now and I am doing just fine! have something to do tomorrow so you dont sit and miss her.
good luck
Shannie13 Junior Member
Joined: Apr 30, 2008
Posts: 62
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:42 pm
I was in the same boat last year. Almost exactly. I have one tip for you to make your baby's transition (mine are still my babies..lol). Keep a smile on your face at all times. You really want your daughter to enjoy learning and seeing you uncomfortable may make her feel a little uncomfortable about the situation as well. There were 5 screamers at my daughter's school so don't be surprised if you see that too.
One recommendation...have hubby there. A big hug from hubby can help!
Best of luck
Shannie!!!
Shelle_75 Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 20, 2007
Posts: 228
Location: The Hoosier State
Believe me, it's totally normal to feel that way...at my daughter's school, they actually have a Boo-Hoo Breakfast for the kindergarten parents the first day of school, right after the kids get dropped off. They hand out little packs of kleenex and hershey's kisses
That is a fabulous idea!
I still miss my oldest (7 yrs) when he goes off to school, although I think it will be for the best this year, because he and the three year old are getting sicker and sicker of constantly being around each other all day long!
Now when my youngest, who is only four weeks old today, goes off to K...I think my heart will come right out of my chest and go with her!
vagostino Junior Member
Joined: Apr 04, 2007
Posts: 61
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:42 pm
I feel the same way! my oldest will start kindergarten this fall and even when he'll stay at the same school/classroom (is a montessori school), just the fact that he is not going to be home for lunch is killing me. This week they are both at summer camp for 1/2 day and my mornings feel so empty!!! I'm going in circles arround the house singing "yo gabba gabba" songs....i better start doing this cake thing as a business soon or i'll go nuts! I don't even know what am I going to do when they go off to college!
Pookie59 Regular Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
Posts: 198
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:44 pm
Letting go is hard. I cried for three days after my first born left for Marine Corps boot camp!
Jayde Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Posts: 547
Posted:
Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:44 pm
SugarBake I know how you feel!!!!
I have been agonizing over the same thing for like 2 weeks now. She is tiny too and just made the cutoff by 5 days, so she will be the youngest in her class. She only weighs 30 lbs and she is 40-inches tall! So shes tiny, and shy, and I have never left her with even a baby-sitter (other than my mom or MIL). I am scared to death to leave her at school all day. I am trying not to tear up as I even write this.
I am never going to get to see her, is the worst part. I work in the evenings, and get home right before bedtime, along with half-days every other Saturday. So the hour in the morning before school, the 40 minutes after school and between work, and the 20 minutes before she goes to bed are going to be a big adjustment for me.
Get a liferaft ladies, cause I opened the floodgates.
My feelings echo those of ziggytarheel's. Though it was sad to see my 3 go off to Kindergarten, I was not prepared for the emotions that came from sending the first two off to high school, where they would be exposed to so much that is bad in our world. (one left, he's a fifth grader this year)
Then one left for the Coast Guard, and it was even worse. I think I moped for a year! Now I have another one leaving in less than two weeks for college, and though I've done it once it doesn't make it any easier.
You don't have to get over it, just get through it - that's what I tell myself sometimes. It's ok to be sad, but along with those tears will come happy ones as you see all they continue to grow and do.
I never think I am raising children, but instead, adults. From moments after they are born to the moment they leave our homes, we have been training and teaching them how to grow up and leave us. Having that perspective has helped me a lot, so I pass it along in the event it can help someone else.
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Eventually I stopped being so mopey, plus it was nice to be able to run errands with out so many "Mom can I have?"'s and was able to spend some one on one time with DD who was still a baby at the time. He's in 2nd grade now, and I still miss him when he's gone, but I was counting down the days till he went back! 
