school : a new beginning
This morning we tentatively walked through the school gates in preparation for kindergarten orientation. I was sad, Daniel was nervous/excited and Che was a little overwhelmed.
We are really blessed to live in the catchment area for a small, sweet school that has a wonderful reputation. We were welcomed into the courtyard with open arms and within minutes Che was introduced to his “buddy,” Liam, who turned out to be the loveliest 11-year-old boy I have ever met. I watched him guide Che around the school, gently placing a hand on his shoulder and then crouching to make eye contact as they talked.
Daniel and I stood back and observed. And then we exhaled. I’m not sure if Liam will ever quite understand the extent of his kindness but as a mum quite reluctant to send my first born off to school, he made the transition so much easier – for all of us. He even pronounced Che’s name correctly – oh thank you!
While Che and Liam visited the kindergarten rooms and made fabulous paper hats, Daniel and I went to the library to meet the principal and hear a little bit more about uniforms, school procedures and canteen. It all feels very real now…it all feels really good.
After sampling the pizza and cupcakes from the school canteen (for the very reasonable price of $1.60), Daniel is rather excited about volunteering for “snack shack” duty.
It's a massive transition and I felt totally overwhelmed and pretty much grieved his separation from me for the first 6 months….I felt really lost, like something was missing…but he was ready for it…I was not x
what a wonderful new chapter in your lives xx
I think I would be sad as well… thinking of you during this time of transition.
(I have such fond memories of canteen food…)
Ronnie xo
I'm trying not to be sad…because I don't want my emotions to affect Che. It's just another level of "letting go", sending him into a much bigger world with all its excitement, possibilities and influences. I'm going to be a mess on the first day (sunglasses and waterproof mascara a must!) x
How exciting, I can't imagine my little one ever being big enough to start school. The buddy system is great, it will be so nice for Che to have a familiar face when he starts school. Xx
Our little Bijou is off to kindy next year (In Qld that's three days a week) and I'm really excited about it. It's prep the following year I'm struggling with. Full time…away from me all day. It is the beginning step in that letting go process. Before I had children I was a prep teacher and although I believe I treated all my children with tenderness on their first days (and all the days after) I now look back with the eyes of a parent and can really empathise with those who struggled with the transition. Magic times ahead…heartwrenching, but magic nonetheless. Be brave lovely Mumma
Steph 🙂 x
I am actually quite shocked by the emotional reaction I'm having. It really is heart wrenching! x
I was really shocked at how I didn't turn into a blubbering mess. Once I saw a scene similar to what you have described, I couldn't help but get caught up in my boy's excitement and enthusiasm. Oh, but i know it will be the last one that will undo me (already is!). glad you had such a wonderful, positive experience :)sarah
Isn't the buddy system wonderful? They take it very seriously at our school and the current year 5's undergo a special course before orientation begins ( I think all schools do this). Our Sam is in kindy this year and the relationship between the kinders and year 6 kids is really special. he younger ones are so in awe of the older ones and the older ones really seem to enjoy their " big brother" status, it's so lovely to watch them interact.
Its great that you all had a wonderful first experience. Now begins the labelling.. of everything!
Ps. I cried in the library session, I think I hold the record lol.
It's wonderful Mel…really makes for a smooth transition. The principal did mention the fact that the Year 6's are the ones that have a hard time saying goodbye to their buddies when they graduate. So sweet.
btw – I did shed a tear today…I share your record 😉 x
Aw, I know! Big sunnies are a must. I am a very big sook when it comes to "the end of an era" stuff. So, sending Caleb off to school was a bit sad for sensitive me. BUT was so wonderful watching him learn things from the big wide world so to speak- especially learning to read. That was amazing! I had a little cry the night before Jemima went to school this year, but was more together on the day. When comes time for Eve to go to school in a couple of years it will be tough- a real end of an era there!! Sounds like Che's orientation was very positive- a great start to the school years.
Jodi, reading this, I am crying just thinking of sending my biggest boy off to school – and it's not till the middle of next year! And to a lovely Christian school that both my husband and I went to, and he currently teaches at, no less! As difficult as these intense pre-school years are (we have three busy little ones), I know I will grieve (hard!) when they are gone.
Someone needs to let Lam's parents know what a lovely job they have done in raising their child. Sounds like he did an amazing thing in the most simplistic way.
ps. Not sure if a lot of Mums are ever ready to let their babies go.
http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
I'm going to email the principal on Monday and share my thoughts. Indeed, his parents should be proud x
I cried and cried when my daughter started school. I will have to go through it all again with my two youngest one day – I hope we have a "Liam" to make the transition easy.
Jodi it's so hard when the kids are excited or trying to be and we feel melancholy. Best advice for first day of school: get your cries out early, before Che even sees you and then you'll feel less like you're teetering on the edge of tears that morning x
it must be the pregnancy hormones because that visual of Che and Liam has be in tears.
shit.
xo em
It must be hard when a family is feeling such a range of feelings over the same event. I hear you on the transition though. It's a biggie. My little guy starts Pre-school next year and also started his pre-school transition visits this week too. Although he is isn't starting Kinder like Che, Finn is going to a Early Learning School where their "schooling" begins in Preschool, so effectively this is the beginning for us.
I too feel like this transition will be another form of the letting go process.
How wonderful that Che's buddy was so welcoming and kind. Doesn't that make all the difference?
It will be hard, but there will be so many positives to come from this transition for you and Che. Hoping that it all unfolds smoothly for the both of you. x
Sounds like such a lovely little school! x
I can only imagine how hard it must be to send him off to school! I love that they still have buddy's at school, I think its such an important role for the older children, and most do wonders. Big hugs x
Dear Jodi,
My lovely,sixteen-year old Héloïse (oh my; you have to see the pictures of her up on my blog now) will be off to uni in a year and a half and I am certain I will, despite her regular and successful stints of wingspreading over her adolescent years, be in tears too. Angélique will start kinder (maternelle here in France) next september too. Each stage brings its joy and sorrow. The wonderful thing is that they just keep coming back.
Stephanie
Three cheers for Liam.
Regardless of what life brings, I so hope my babes always come back to the nest. A beautiful comment S. Thank you x
the magic will continue … just in a different sort of way. take care and sounds like little liam was a true blessing x
Oh I went off to kinder enrollment today, and I get this ~ excitement, nervousness and anticipation mostly! I just know my little one will love it and thrive, but the letting go stings a bit! I'm sure Che will love every minute xx
The snacks and crafts are obviously the most important part of school. What a sweet young boy to guide a new student through school with such kindness and excitement. Good kids still exist!
Memoirs & Mochas
Wonderful! so happy that everything went well, I remember when our son have to start kindergarten, we were really nervous and he is our only son so I was so sad but happy at the same time for him because now he can be with others kids and play and learn, you know have a great time. Now he is in second grade, he is 7 years old and still I get nervous and sad hehe, but I need to let him grow.
Have a lovely weekend with your beautiful family!
xx
Oh my, starting school… it's such a bittersweet moment! So glad Liam extended his kindness. Heartwarming!
Kindergarten is a BIG BIG moment — my daughter adored her experience and her teacher and it was just the best introduction to school I could have hoped for ~ I wish that for your son!
Jasper spent the day at school yesterday, oh boy did he love it! I do remember the first day of my first born, and what a bittersweet time it is. Your biggest problem now will be getting poet to come home with you when you drop him off in the morning! (we read that book last night too, it now has pride of place beside his bed).xx
Dark sunglasses essential Jodi. On River's first day at school this year he RAN from us at the gate to his class. And then to make matters worse, each morning the school plays music to indicate to the children it is time to get to class, on River's first day the music they played was Bette Midler singing 'you are the wind beneath my wings'!! Cheesy and sob inducing all at once. Wait until Che is awarded with a certificate at school and has to go up at assembly. More mama tears. All that said, it is a wonderful transition and so exciting to see them grow in so many ways. After all that is our true job, to support and champion them to grow. Take care kinder mama x
Che in Kindergarten! What a huge change but, thankfully Liam was a way to make this transition a little easier for your family ; )
I have just written about sending my eldest to school next year: http://lazydaisyhelen.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/letting-go.html It's not easy, but we have been blessed with a wonderful buddy as well. I am going to be a mess next year though.
My little man starts school next year also, understand how you are feeling. I've already had two children head off to this next chapter on their lives and cried….I'm already feeling emotional knowing my gorgeous boy will soon embark on this journey:)
Oh wow – so exciting for you all! What a kind soul Liam sounds like – bless his little cotton socks! 🙂
I am experiencing similar emotions at the moment Jodi with my first born off to kindergarten next year (here in WA it's 2 and a half days a week and our pre-school is full time… is kindergarten for Che full time?) It's such a time of mixed feelings – excitement at all the wonderful opportunities ahead and learning experiences my big girl will have, but sadness that she'll no longer be home full time with me 🙁 It sounds as though Che's introduction to his school was a lovely one thanks to his buddy x