My daughter starts kindergarten in just a few weeks and we are in the throes of “getting ready for school.” It’s another first in the list of many I get to experience with my daughter. And while it’s a big deal for her, It’s also a big step for us as parents. It marks a significant change from babyhood to childhood. It means we must accept what every parent tries to deny for eternity. Our little girl, really and truly isn’t a baby anymore. She’s a big kid now.
I cried on her last day of daycare. I really did. It felt like I was saying goodbye to my baby girl. I cried worse that day than I did her first day of daycare, if you can imagine. Yes, I think I will probably be one of those parents crying on her first day of kindergarten as well. What makes it so bittersweet for me is that my daughter will be attending a private Catholic school, just like I did when I was her age. So even though I mourn the loss of my baby, I look forward to all the new adventures in the big school. While I know I will probably cry, I am also excited.
I’m the geeky parent looking forward to proudly displaying the school logo sticker on my car. I can’t wait to meet her teacher on Orientation night. I remember how involved my mother was in my school activities and while I probably can’t be nearly as involved because I work full-time unlike my mother, who stayed at home, I want to be as involved as I can.
First Day of School (1st grade – 1981)
Her school uniform is very similar to the one I wore back in the 80s. Catholic school uniforms haven’t changed over the years. Shopping for her uniforms was especially fun and it reminded me of my days of parochial schooling, although I think I enjoyed it more than my daughter did. She’s not quite at the age yet where she enjoys trying on clothes. We’ve also been shopping for school supplies and she was definitely excited about that. She wanted to get items that aren’t on her supply list.
