Originally Posted By ajsmommy My baby boy started kindergarden yesterday. I was doing so good, not crying when taking him to his classroom ~ that is until ~ he blew me a kiss goodbye! Then I welled up in tears. Of course I soon got over that when I came home and had a 2 1/2 hour break and I realized that this school thing was not so bad LOL! I know that before I know it I will be having the off to his own life blues, but for now I am going to enjoy every moment we have "together" even if he is a MAJOR monster brat child =)~
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I assume this is your oldest -- well get ready ...as this is the easiest ( I didn't believe it then either) of the transitions related to school... My oldest went off to college 3 years ago -- and that was brutal -- beyond what I even imagined Middle school will be next for you and my other daughter just started. What changes here is that they more likely than not willnot be blowing you kisses -- as 'it isn't cool around their friends' -- clothes change and attitudes change big time At the High school start ( which is found the least traumatic of the bunch) - you have already gotten used to the fact that they are more concerned about what their friends think than what you think ( this gets way better in the college years and starts to reverse some ) - So I understand what you are saying having been there-- it is the start of a long journey ---
Originally Posted By HRM Once they start, though..... August is the toughest month.... can't wait for BACK-to-SCHOOL! ;o)
Originally Posted By bloona My son started nursery this week, he was at playgroup at the same place ,so its not really that different for him, other than they do practice with letter writing, numbers etc, instead of just playing. Oh big difference for me though is it's free! so he is doing the 5 2 1/2 hour sessions that our goverment pay for, before I could only afford 3 ( £15 a week) So I am busy painting the kitchen ( which I should be doing now, but Im on here! )
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess Kindergarten is SO hard!!! BTDT twice now (my youngest is a first grader). It's so nice, though, that you're enjoying and appreciating your son as much as you can now. That's so important! I try to remind myself that no matter how hectic/challenging things may get at times, I am guessing I will someday look back on these years as the absolute best years of my life. My kids are my world! Good luck to your big kindergartner!!
Originally Posted By HRM All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school. These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. ºoº
Originally Posted By HRM Source: "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum
Originally Posted By momof4boys It was very hard for me when my youngest started Kindergarten. In our town pre-K through 1st is at one school, 2nd-4th at another, 5th and 6th at another, then MS and HS. We have had a child at the "young" school for 9 years. I have been told by many people that it was really hard for them when they no longer had a child there. This is my last year to have a child there. It already makes me tear up thinking about it- and makes me feel old. I don't even want to think about the boys going away to college!
Originally Posted By HRM ^^^ yeah, that "Flush" one is especially difficult for boys away at college. ;o)
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I too have the kindergarten blues. My youngest started school last Monday and it was sooo hard for me. During the orientation he told me that his legs were shivering and then he told his dad that he had tears in his head. (Daddy and him have spent everyday together because he works at night, me in the day so they are together all the time so Daddy had to walk out). Each day it was harder and harder and he didn't want to go because Daddy was alone but this week has been much better. Knowing that this was my last first day of kindergarten was very sad!!!
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I'd like to read what everyone wrote here because the thread title looks intriguing but as soon as I read the first part of vbdad's post (about this being the easiest one) my eyes sprung the strangest leak and I can't seem to get it under control here. It is really interfering with my reading.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 chickendumpling -- I wish it wasn't true --but I can tell you the drive back from college after dropping off your child...is just the saddest day.( you are so proud of them, and so sad for yourself) ...One of my best friends just did the same for his only child who started as a freshman 1500 miles from home ( mine 'only' 400 miles) ....I warned him and he thought he was ready -- we spent a lot of time the other day reviewing how he really was not. So if this makes you spend a little more time than planned with your little ones...my work here is done. I traveled a lot on business when my daughter was young and missed a lot. By the time my other was born ( 9 years later) I had changed what was most important in my life, and am happy with that choice. I now work from home so I am part of everything I can be. I am fortunate as my daughter plays college sports ( Volleyball - hence the name VB dad ) and we visit often to catch the games, or if her team travels to our home area....have lots of camcorder and TV tapes....
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I cannot imagine that day being here that my kids go to college. It is tough enough that my oldest goes to middle school in 2 years and that is already starting to bother me.
Originally Posted By jlin714 What's funny is that my dad recently told me that me leaving for grad school last week was the hardest for him and my mom. I guess I'm really a grown up to them now. haha
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>"That *Flush* one is the hardest..."<< Gee, for the men in my household putting down the lid-seems to be the hardest! :0) I have to agree with taking the kids to college as the toughest though. I remember that when I dropped off my oldest-after all the hugs, some tears, and LOTS of kisses-I had to force myself into the car-and scream at myself in my head to pull away. Then I had to fight with myself not to go back for one last hug. This was sooo hard for me, that right now I am sitting here typing this with tears running down my face and this happened 7 years ago!
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess You guys are breaking my hearts! I dread the day my kids go away to college. Of course I'll be immensely proud, but I don't know how I'll be able to cope!!! Thank God mine are just 6 & 9 right now. Although I know the time absolutely FLIES! Would it be that unusual for me to enroll in college at the same time and be a roommate with my daughter?!! ROFLMAO (Yes, and she may permanently disown me, you say?!!)
Originally Posted By momof4boys >>"That *Flush* one is the hardest..."<< >>>Gee, for the men in my household putting down the lid-seems to be the hardest! :0)>>>> I finally have gotten my boys to put down the seat- now they just leave it down when they use it- sprinkling all over the seat! That really makes me mad ( especially when it is in the middle of the night and I sit down on it-yuck!) They have had to clean many a toilet because of this! I was figuring out that my oldest will most likely have graduated college by the time my youngest starts. Right now he says he is going to go into the finance business with his dad when he graduates ( I realize this could change several times). But it comforts me some to think that he might be back in town before my last one leaves.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling <<So if this makes you spend a little more time than planned with your little ones...my work here is done>> Great sentiment vbdad. You've really nailed it with that one. I was blessed enough to recognize that early on. I have passed up at least 3 great promotions because of that and you know what. I haven't regretted it for a second. There is nothing in the world like just hanging out with your kids, just listening to them talk and getting to know who they really are. I know the time when they don't want to talk to me and just my mere existence will be a source of embarassment for them so I don't want to miss a minute of little kid time. I just can't even think of college right now though. That will be so, so hard. 'Course I will have lots of *kid-free* time to go to Disneyland....hehehe
Originally Posted By Scar My little man started Kindergarten today. My oldest started first grade two days ago. I can't believe it............. I made the journey down the long hall with tears welled up, but I made it to the car before I completely lost it I can't believe it............... My babies are growing up.
