Kindergarten
 

Yep, Mr. Sam is off to the big K! Yesterday was his first day. He was excited right up until it came time for mommy and daddy to leave - then he got kind of clingy and teared up. I just peeled him off my leg and sent him on into his classroom. I knew he'd be fine in 5 minutes or less. I got tickled on the way out of the building because the hallway was lined with weeping mothers - I was happy to get my kid out of the house!

He definitely had a good time yesterday, but he hasn't quite accepted the idea that he has to go M-F. This morning I had to drag him out of bed to the tune of "I hate school! I don't wanna go to school!" When I dropped him off by his classroom, he wanted me to sit down in the hallway with him, but I said "Do I look like a kindergartner to you?" I introduced him to the little boy sitting next to him and headed on out. I'll be curious to see how today goes.

I know better than to make a big production out of saying goodbye, or trying to cajole him into liking school. His daddy did that with a daycare when he was younger, and ended up making everything worse. I just tell him, "This is the way it is, get over it," give him a hug and a see-ya-later, and that's it. He did great at pre-K last year.

How many of you cried when your kids started school? I know, it's a big step toward growing up and all that, but since I feel confident in the school and the teachers and it's nearby, I was really more excited for him than anything. Also I've been at home with the kids since birth, and I'm ready for a break!

I practiced a few times with mine. We drove to the school several days before it was to start. I walked them to the door of the building, and told them which hallway we were going to use. I told them each how brave they were and how proud I was. Then I reminded them that when the fun day was over, and all their friends were exhausted, and it was time to go home, I would be right there waiting. I promised to do my best to be on time, and ready. We did 3 trips for the boy and 2 for the girl who said (I GET IT MOM!) and when the day came, they were a bit worried, but both peeled off me and marched right in.

I was teary eyed, and so proud, but GLAD to have the day off! woo! it was so great to get them pushed towards some independance. Up my butt all day was not a career I dreamed of for either of um. I am glad they went off and made good choices.

When my DD started preschool it was the first time we were separated since I stopped working. She said goodbye to me, ran into the room and never looked back. I left the building a bit sad that she wasn't going to miss me. I was very excited to have the 2 1/2 hours to myself and said so to the mother next to me. But I stopped in mid-sentence because she was bawling her eyes out! Now I look forward to the start of school so I have time to myself but I look forward to the breaks and summer vacation even more since I miss her when she's gone.

Both of my boys always liked school. They didn't get that from me 'cos I always hated it! :p But, they loved to go and socialize with the other kids. I'm so glad they liked it. It would have been so hard to make them go if they didn't want to.

After 2 years of fun-preschool AMs both were ready. Got afternoon Kindergarten which I thought I'd hate, but after leisurely mornings, then play and lunch both ere ready to go at 12 ( or was it 12:30?) Than afternoons for me, pick-up, then Playground, tired kids, DH home, dinner, quiet evening, bed!! I miss those years!! Both 17 now, doing well. Of course they had each other in same class for Kindergarten, school buddy from then on (never in same class) and pretty stable town, classmates always same kids over the years. We did fine.

I think part of it is whether you got to stay with them all the time or not. It was not as tough to send #1 to school as #2. I stayed home with #1, but started working when #2 was 6 weeks old. I never felt like I had enough time with her, and she was one of those really sweet babies you can't get enough of. Some of em are like that.

:rolleyes:

Both my kids were fine about going - but my boy went on a tirade about the bus not having seatbelts.

I was kind of proud that he was aware of that safety issue, it'd been pounded into his head since birth.

I managed not to cry when the bus rolled away - until they were out of sight. I cried all day, dd's first day. That was rough.

I was never thrilled about the school years starting after that - not because I'd miss them, but because of all the other things, getting them up, finding their stuff, etc. And when ds hit 18-19, I was not freaked at all about him moving out - GO already, would ya? LOL.