Parenting Stories
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First Day Back at School
Melodie Stryker, Kitchener ON
This morning, like many parents, I sent two of my boys on the bus for another school year. It’s lunch time right now and the house is too quiet. Although I still have some littles here with me at home, it’s not quite the same. I tidied the living room after the boys went to school and it’s still exactly the way I left it a few hours ago.
I’ve been preparing our 6 year old, Connor, for Grade 1 for a few months now. The school my boys attend offers part time Kindergarten. Since I’m a stay at home mom, it made sense to send our kids part time only. Connor especially benefited from this. He’s a social kid, but he really loves his time at home with me. When he’s home, he’s often in his pajamas walking through the house wrapped up in his Cars blanket. His imagination rarely leaves him bored and he’s usually up to some sort of activity or craft project that he has going on. But in between those moments of busy activity he will go and find me, to make sure that I ‘get enough hugs’ from him.
We had a wonderful last hurrah of summer at the trailer with some good friends this past weekend. My husband and I put the boys to bed on time to prepare for today. This morning Connor slept in a little bit. When he went to pour himself some cereal, there were no Honey Nut Cheerios left, and nothing else would do! After some tears and a few more hugs, he made himself a peanut butter and jam sandwich. Fifteen minutes before the bus came though, he was still in his pajamas! I rushed him to brush his teeth and get out the door in time for us to take those annual “first day of school”photos.
Shortly after 8:00 am the bus pulled up and he was excited. His big brother eagerly walked across the road to catch the bus. Connor picked up his bag, started for the bus and then turned and ran back to me. “One more hug Mom!”. I swallowed back some tears and gave him an arm squeeze as he quickly turned around to catch the bus.
This morning was tough, and it caught me off guard. This summer flew by as it always does and it left me unprepared emotionally for this particular transition in their childhood. Even though this is our fifth year doing it, I hadn’t really prepared myself for this morning. I had been so busy getting the boys ready for back to school that I hadn’t considered my own feelings.
Each afternoon that bus will come back down the road at 4:08 pm and safely drop them off at the end of our driveway and back into my care. I can’t wait to get those hugs and hear about their day!
To speak with Melodie about parenting tips and strategies or any other parenting issue, find her at Let’s Talk Parenting.
What a great recap of the first day of school! It’s so hard to let them go, but so lovely when they come running back to us at the end of each day 🙂
They can really sneak up on you sometimes eh?
Melodie. Thanks for this. My oldest just started JK and we are still going through transitions. I drop her off and every day when the bell rings she has tears, while I have to runaway because I “got” something stuck in my eye.
Awww, this is so sweet. We can try all we want to prepare for our emotions on these days but in reality, they often surprise us. ♥
Same with me. When kids are around you just lose track of time. It was my daughter’s first time to go to school. I was worried but she was so excited..
So sweet! It’s so easy to lose track of time especially over the summer.
It was a lovely description. Your kids are adorable, Melodie.
Thanks Victoria! Yes, it truly can be!!
A great article. Back to school can be very emotional at any age.