Nothing stirs emotion like your kids moving on. In my opinion, the single most difficult aspect of parenting is letting your kids go and do, succeed and fail, on their own terms. For better or for worse. We all learn much more from our mistakes than we do from our success. Parenting is hard that way.
There are far greater milestones in life than your oldest kid starting kindergarten. Births, graduations, celebrations, family vacations, weddings…the list goes on. Each stage of life provides a stepping stone to the next. Time marches on.
So there we were this morning at six a.m. The youngest had come a snugglin’ around 5:45 and she was wired. Around 6:15, the soon-to-be schoolboy awoke and climbed into bed with the rest of us. To think, we were worried about waking them on time.
The alarm struck 6:30 and chaos ensued. There was breakfast to be had, animals to feed, and new clothes to be worn. A couple of shiny backpacks filled with paperwork were slung hither and yon. Before I could catch my breath, we were off, in two different directions, to work and school.
We barely had a chance to kiss goodbye.
Old Dad took the easy way out. I followed the normal routine and took my sweetie to her sitter. Mom had the hard job, but promptly texted that all had gone well. A few tears were choked back (reports differ as to whom they belonged to) and life moved on.
I did my best to stay busy, as it was Mom’s day to fix teeth. Grocery shopping, chores, emails, and phone calls kept me busy through the day. No matter what I tried, I kept looking at the clock.
Three o’clock finally arrived and I high tailed it to the pick up line, right along all of the other first timers. I looked around and smiled with relief. I wasn’t alone.
The kids rolled out of class right on time and scattered to their respective parents. There seemed to be a lot more hugs at the kindergarten exit than anywhere else. I grabbed my son, gave him a big hug, and kept my sunglasses on to hide any hint of tears.
All had gone well.
We reviewed the day and Parker admitted to being a little scared. I told him that was normal and okay. He said that he wanted to cry, but didn’t want to upset Mom.
We talked a bit and then I asked, “What was your favorite part?”
I expected lunch or recess or P.E. Part of me figured he might not have had a favorite part.
“All of it,” he said, “and I get to do it again tomorrow.”
Time marches on.
May we all share many more “first” days.
Until next week, keep smiling.
-Please send comments to Drs. Parrish at www.ParrishDental.com.
