Whew. Both of our littlest ones are starting Kindergarten in a matter of days, and the reality is creeping up that we really don’t have little ones anymore. Yesterday Amy took the kids to the dentist and the hygienist asked when Emily would be starting Kindergarten. The conversation went something like this:
Hygienist: Emily doesn’t start Kindergarten THIS year, does she?
Amy: Yes, yes she does.
Hygienist: WHAT?!? (Look of horror on her face, eyes bugging out.) Oh. My. Gosh. That is going to be SO hard for you watching your youngest walk away. It’s going to be a HUGE milestone. Huge.
Amy: (No words. Just tears welling up.) Exits the room immediately.
It’s so easy to try and block out what this symbolizes — the next phase of life. There they go, independent little beings, off to create their own opinions and judgments and perspectives. When will they not need us anymore? When will they stop putting their little hands in ours when we cross the street? When will they not ask — beg — for another bedtime story or song? It’s all flying by so fast. When you have little infants, your parents and friends all say ‘Try to cherish this, soon they’ll be off to college.’ And suddenly, here we are. Another reason to truly, really, live in the moment. And least for a little bit, today.
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I just sent my first-born to kindergarten last week. I got through it OK, cried a bit. I thought that was it, but the enormity of it all still hits me every day. She is in school now!! What does this mean? She will be going off to college before I know it! So, each day I’m trying to be more patient and appreciative of the time we spend together.
My youngest is heading off to Pre-K this year. I feel like the time went by way to fast. My oldest is in second grade now. It seems like yesterday I was waddling around carrying them both. LOL
I am a stay at home mom who kept both kids home until Pre-K.
I thought I would be doing cart wheels down the street, cracking open the bubble bath and enjoying all of the much needed “ME TIME” I could manage to obtain between the hours of 9am and 3pm.
I didn’t think I would be one of those mothers who linger at the classroom door and can’t manage to make their feet move in the opposite direction. But…It turns out that I am that mom. Who knew? LOL
You never really know how you will react until you are actually in the moment.
I did manage to go home and take that bubble bath but my mind wouldn’t stop thinking about the kids!!! What a crock! LOL