I see him standing by his teacher and watch him jump and wave as he recognizes me. She cautions him to wait until I’m closer, then as she sees me wave, she tells him to go. He comes at a run, then slows to skipping as he gets closer.
“Mommy! We were outside! And I was standing there! And I saw you! Did you see me? Guess what we did today? Do you know what I have in my backpack? I love my new school…I want to stay until DINNERTIME every day!”
And so ended our first full week at school.
People asked me if I would be sad to have my son starting kindergarten. If I would cry the first day, or feel weepy the whole time he is gone. I answered honestly – that in the moment I may feel a little choked up, or that of course I was amazed, and a little sad that he was no longer a baby. But truth be told, it couldn’t have come soon enough.
Let me explain. I adore my son…like rainbows and fireflies adore him. He’s smart, funny, sweet, and full of beans. He really is a well-behaved kid, but we have our moments. And when the summer got too long, the routines slipped, everyone got sick of the heat…well, it got a little testy in the Mocha household. We all felt it. Too many times we asked him to play quietly or watch a movie while the baby napped or while I worked. Too often it became just about getting through the days and the to-do lists while trying desperately to keep him entertained. I felt like we weren’t enjoying each other as much as we could have been.
Two months have passed. He is happily settled into his routines, attending public French Immersion half days as well as 2-3 half days in a private preschool setting. He’s busy, but thriving and it’s proven to be a good balance. He has the challenges of a new language and new school, but also the comfort and familiarity of his former school setting. He has access to more specialized learning at one, but more gym time and outside play at the other. He takes the school bus to one, and I drive him to the other. And for us, it works.
And what I have now is a happy, engaged boy who has all kinds of outlets for his energy, and is actually tired out by the end of the day. He has made new friends at each school and on the bus. He gets the benefit of two teaching styles, and two different class sizes. He is learning a great deal at both schools, but in different ways and I think it will give him a great foundation as he continues on with French Immersion. He enjoys sharing his adventures with us and showing off what he has learned each day. And we all are happier.
Back to school? Back to sanity!
(Now if I could just find a way to stay on top of the calendars, memos, fundraising, photos and artwork for two schools I’d be totally set.)
