Dear Tommy,
Now you are a first grader! I still can't really believe it. As I type, my eyes fill up a bit with tears of pride at how wonderfully you have embraced your first two days of full-day school. You just aren't afraid! You are happy and enthusiastic and brave. I am so proud of you, Tommy. I am so eager for you to learn and experience new and amazing things in the world.
But.
I have to admit, it's a little harder than I predicted, kiddo! The school day is long for you and it's long for me. The hours seem different with my heart walking around at your elementary school. I'm wondering what you're experiencing and whether you've eaten your lunch.
It's hard to be a Mom and to feel such mixed emotions. Frustration when kids don't obey, anger when kids are sassy, pride when kids are sweet, joy when kids are brave, etc. Excited as kids embark on a new challenge. Scared about how it will go and who they will meet and whether it will be fine. Fear that somehow our relationship will change forever. This week is a bit of a roller coaster in that regard.
Daddy bought you Fruit Loops and a bike lock on the night before school. Fruit Loops because who can say no to the kid who requests Fruit Loops for breakfast on his first morning of school? A bike lock so you could put all your focus into the mastery of the four digit combination. As if you don't have anything else on your plate this week.
So, every day, you've been biking ahead, forging your way up the sidewalks and across the crosswalk and to the bike rack. Sliding your fingers through its metal bars. Twisting the lock back into position and running...yes, running...into the building with a quick thumbs-up to me as you head through the door.
Geez, take it easy on me and at least pretend you're gonna miss me, Tom. ;)
I love you.
Mom
Now you are a first grader! I still can't really believe it. As I type, my eyes fill up a bit with tears of pride at how wonderfully you have embraced your first two days of full-day school. You just aren't afraid! You are happy and enthusiastic and brave. I am so proud of you, Tommy. I am so eager for you to learn and experience new and amazing things in the world.
But.
I have to admit, it's a little harder than I predicted, kiddo! The school day is long for you and it's long for me. The hours seem different with my heart walking around at your elementary school. I'm wondering what you're experiencing and whether you've eaten your lunch.
It's hard to be a Mom and to feel such mixed emotions. Frustration when kids don't obey, anger when kids are sassy, pride when kids are sweet, joy when kids are brave, etc. Excited as kids embark on a new challenge. Scared about how it will go and who they will meet and whether it will be fine. Fear that somehow our relationship will change forever. This week is a bit of a roller coaster in that regard.
Daddy bought you Fruit Loops and a bike lock on the night before school. Fruit Loops because who can say no to the kid who requests Fruit Loops for breakfast on his first morning of school? A bike lock so you could put all your focus into the mastery of the four digit combination. As if you don't have anything else on your plate this week.
So, every day, you've been biking ahead, forging your way up the sidewalks and across the crosswalk and to the bike rack. Sliding your fingers through its metal bars. Twisting the lock back into position and running...yes, running...into the building with a quick thumbs-up to me as you head through the door.
Geez, take it easy on me and at least pretend you're gonna miss me, Tom. ;)
I love you.
Mom
