I’m sitting at Panera, having just dropped L.(3) off at his very first day of preschool.
This is a strange feeling.
Because our kids are so widely spaced (more than seven years separates them), I’ve done this before. C. (10) went to preschool, Kindergarten, and first grade before L. was born. So I’ve had my share of leisurely mornings at Panera, sipping coffee, enjoying a bagel, maybe lingering over a book before I headed out to run some errands or clean a closet.
But it’s been a while. More than three years.
The “First Day of Preschool” event was much different this time around, compared to C.’s first day. This morning was pretty normal. We got up early, saw C. off to school (fifth grade! how did that happen?), watched as he crossed the street and boarded the bus. Then breakfast for L., with some Veggie Tales accompaniment.
L. asked over and over, “NOW can we go to preschool?”
He was excited, to say the least.
Seven years ago, C. was excited too, but a bit more apprehensive. He didn’t have a big brother who went off to school every day; the entire concept of school was new to him. But he’d met his teacher, and the kids in his class, and was ready, he thought.
Dropping C. off at his first day of preschool, I wasn’t sure what to expect. He didn’t have trouble separating from me, so I wasn’t worried about a melt-down or an Extreme Clinging Session. But I didn’t know how he’d handle walking into the room and watching me leave.
He did fine. But I remember his eyes — he glanced out in the hall a few times, to see if I was still there, maybe hoping to catch a reassuring look from me. He was excited about playing with all the cool toys, but still — maybe hanging out with mom all day would be a better idea…
It turned out that C. loved preschool. And that hesitation on Day 1 was just him adjusting, warming up to a new situation. By his third day at preschool, he was a pro.
This morning, I saw another hesitant little boy who wasn’t sure if he wanted to leave his mom. But it wasn’t my kid. No, it definitely wasn’t L. This little boy — I’ll call him Adam — reached for his mom as he stood in the classroom’s doorway, wanting one last hug. A good long hug. His lower lip quivered a bit, his eyes looked piercingly into his mom’s. After a minute, he pulled away and walked, slowly, into the room and greeted his teacher.
I talked to Adam’s mom for a few minutes, let her know that my first-born had been a bit hesitant too, but that I was sure Adam would be just fine. She admitted that she wasn’t sure how today was going to go, and that her son (much like my C.) took a while to warm up and adjust. Then she took a deep breath. I knew the feeling.
Meanwhile, where was L.?
Oh, he had run into the classroom the moment the door had opened. Without so much as a goodbye. He gave his teacher a quick Hello and then started looking for something fun to do.
Apparently, he had forgotten that I was in the hall. His teacher got him all set up with some magnetic letters and he was playing happily at the table, oblivious to everything but this exciting new adventure of preschool.
I entered the room and took a picture of him playing, then said goodbye.
He didn’t even hear me.
“Um, L.? L.? Bye!”
“Oh — bye, Mom!”
And that was that.
A completely different experience. But a good one, nonetheless.
Oh Kat..that is so great. I know Stephen will do fine, although I expect him to be more C. than L. What is is with the firstborns? I am just not ready for him to be such a big boy yet. I’m definitely having a harder time than he is!
I am totally petrified of dropping Sammy off for the first day.. I have another year to get use to that
Do you think L will paint with Chocolate Pudding?
Glad to hear that today went so well.
I’m always amazed by the kids who walk in and barely wave bye. Mine tend to be more tentative until they get used to the routine.
Not to be off topic, but how do you like your Select Comfort bed??? We are renting a townhouse and don’t want to move our king size bed (really there’s not room) and we’re looking at a queen Select Comfort. I want the expanded queen (so it’s not as big of a change), but my husband isn’t convinced. Which bed did you get??
Thanks!
So great to hear!! And I’m glad that you celebrated the same way I do when they get back in school (or start school).
Though Kyle is really loving Kindergarten, I think that idea of going every day is wearing on him (because after all, there is computer and Wii to play and TV to watch at home). He told me yesterday and today that he thought he’d “skip” Kindergarten. Of course I told him otherwise, and he happily went on the bus.
Jennifer, Snapshot´s last post ..Back-to-School Books
I remember taking my second to Kindergarten. There wasn’t too much hesitation going but that may be because it was his older sister’s teacher too. I do remember picking him up and walking back to the car,
“How was your day?”
“Okay. Do I have to go back tomorrow?”
I don’t remember how I responded but he did continue, clear through high school.
Oh, such a rite of passage! It’s great that you got it all down, and even took a photo, because one day, you may look back and wonder at how he could have ever been that small and vulnerable
Great post!