In a few weeks, my eldest child starts school.
As we prepare by learning to tie shoelaces, raising your hand when you want to speak, to not hitting his brothers (note: other classmates); it’s mostly an exciting experience.
Though, I feel slightly sad.
He’ll learn to love his more experienced, all-round calmer kindergarten teacher. He’ll be spending 6 hours a day away from me with people who won’t look at his beautiful brown eyes and smile, or laugh when he laughs his heartiest laugh.
School will also expose his strengths and weaknesses. Mine too.
Was I too disciplined, or not enough?
Did I role model kindness? Charity? Empathy?
From then I/we (my husband ) won’t be his primary source of information. Strange words, attitudes, feelings, and habits will start to evolve.
I can only hope that we’ve taught him enough, and taught him well.
Years ago, I would dream about the day my baby would start school.
The closer it’s coming, the more I realise I shouldn’t have. I should have appreciated more the unlimited time I had with him, and showed that love more.
So in the next few weeks, I will relish the remaining time I have with him, with all of them, and enjoy them now.
Do you have any children starting school, maybe a first or last. How do you feel?
Originally posted 2014-01-22 21:22:38.