Twas the night before school starts and all through the house,
Every creature is stirring, tossing and turning, even the mouse.
The backpacks for school are ready and lunches packed with care,
Along with bags of supplies and hope the kids can carry everything there.
The children are anxiously tucked in their beds,
While visions of school dance in their heads.
And Mama… oh mama is having some anxious thoughts, too,
Will he know how to behave, will he know what to do?
Mama, are you anxious? Relieved? Excited? Dreading the day?
School is about to start, and I have a Kindergartner. It has been 14 years since I have had a Kindergartner and this Mama is anxious. We’ve bought the school clothes and school supplies, backpack, lunchbox and labeled them all. We got new kicks and made a list of things he will eat at lunch. We’ve talked and talked through our list of words not to say at school and how we need to use kind words and not reckless words. We’ve reviewed what self-control is and how keeping our hands, feet, tongue and boogers to yourself is imperative while at school. We’ve prayed this school year up one side and down the other – prayed for new friends, the teacher (and her patience with our child) and the principal that we hope we won’t be on a first-name basis with. I’m still anxious, but I’m also so excited for him, for what friends and opportunities and lessons lay ahead for him.
Having done this several times before, I know that school will be good for him. He will grow, he will change and he will be challenged in every single area of his little 5-year-old life. There are many great options for school these days – private, parochial, home school, co-op, bi-lingual – amazing choices for our children. Regardless of the choice that is right for your family, the school year is about to start and whatever you choose, there is anxiety and excitement, the night before that first day of school. We can anticipate it each August, prepare for it, but are rarely ready for all of the changes, new routines and new challenges.
Mama, are you ready? It’s right around the corner, maybe even this week or tomorrow.
A honk of the bus, and a smile on his head,
Soon gave me peace that I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight in the school,
And looked back at me with a smirk that said, you didn’t raise no fool.
And placing his hand right by his face,
Giving me a thumbs up, I knew he was in the right place.
He walked into his school, and his Mama shed a tear,
He may be in a new place, but he has nothing to fear.
And just like that, the new school year has started,
He’s going to go places and learn things uncharted.
But I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,
Love you, Mom; I’m gonna be alright!
