We went to tour an area Preschool about two weeks ago.
I wasn't EXCITED about the tour.
I think I had set my expectations too high. I think that my apprehension to let my (first) baby go to school kept me from seeing the school in its best light.
We felt very blessed that there were still spots available so close to when school commences. Yet, for some reason, we still were going back and forth.
"The social interaction is important."
"He already knows a great deal the stuff they are going to cover"
(The focus is on letter recognition, shapes, colors, and numbers, all of which he knows already)
"Being away from us will be good for him, since he is so clingy and shy."
(He is our timid and nervous child)
Blah Blah. You can probably imagine other reasons we came up with....
After much deliberation, we decided this opening was a blessing was intended for us, we couldn't decide how many days to send Lucas.
We finally settled on two days. 9am - 12 pm. twice a week.
We waited. and waited. and waited to see what days he would be assigned.
We received his acceptance letter in the mail, along-side his teacher's name and his supply list.
I was in shock!!
A supply list for Preschool?!
I understand the reasoning behind it with being cost effective, being fun for the child, teaching responsibility for things....the thought of having to do so just had never occurred to me.
Purchasing things, supplies, makes everything more real.
We searched through sale papers to see where I could get the best value for my buck and left Wally World with an assortment of Crayola products, glues, and cleaning supplies. Lucas chose a green pencil box, green scissors and a Shark folder.
We had Orientation last night. A list of approved snacks in a nut-free environment. A schedule. A ton of parents and kids and teachers. A run-down of what your child would learn "to accomplish" during the year.
Letters and colors. Check! Lucas can already do that!
Zipping their own coat. Check! Lucas can already do that!
Learning the Pledge of Allegiance. Damn-it! I have failed as a parent.
And that is where I lost it.
I got teary-eyed. I was lucky enough to hold it all in until after the kids went to bed.
There is no turning back.
I can't freeze time.
Lucas is 3 years old with his very own backpack and lunchbox.....
His first day is on Thursday...
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4 comments:
I can't believe you have to buy him supplies! All I have to do is label Sara Ellen's clothes and make sure she can get herself together after using the bathroom. She will have an old backpack of mine though it might not be strictly necessary and will have extra clothes in her cubbyhole. She will five in December and has been looking forward to attending school for quite a while now. She can be shy in some situations but on the whole, I wonder how she became so out-going, a good deal more than Tim or I. We can certainly function as needed but we are usually a bit quieter. We were also happy to find a spot because most places I checked out first had waiting lists.
Wow, I knew it was getting to that time in life for you guys but didn't realize it was this school year! Watch, school will help your shy, super smart little boy bloom. I bet he was so excited to get to pick out his school supplies (although I can't believe that for a twice a week preschool you had to buy supplies!). Just think of all the cool girl things you and Mere can plan on doing on the days Lucas is in school. =)
You have such a cute blog! Check mine out, also. www.goodetimegirls.blogspot.com
KJ
I cant believe he's so grown up! And seriously, I had fewer "supplies" for college!
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