He starts school tomorrow. In 11 hours and 40 minutes, my darling firstborn will start school. He has more than a decade of learning and friends and adventure ahead of him.
I'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyI'mnotready.
Breathe. Just breathe.
I will be thinking of you and your amazing and adorable boy tomorrow. As an ex Early Childhood teacher I hope and pray that he gets 'one of us' that falls in love with him as much as you and those of us from afar do and who is willing to put in the time and the effort to get to know your extraordinary boy and then use that knowledge to not just help move him forward in his education but to also show him that school is a place of fun and learning comes with such joy and a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. In a nutshell I hope he gets a teacher just like his Mummy because that is everything that you have already done for him. So as you walk out of that classroom tomorrrow, fighting back the tears until you're out of his sight, be proud of how deeply you have nurtured him to get him to where he is now, be proud of the unconditional love that you have poured into him that will help him over any hiccups that school or the big wide world may throw his way, be proud of the unending work you have put into your amazing boy to build on his strengths and develop his areas of challenge because without that solid footing and foundation his new teacher would have nothing to build upon. You are most certainly entitled to shed many a tear once you've handed your precious boy into the hands of strangers hoping that they will love him and to help nurture the hopes and dreams that you have for him. But as a teacher who has been the hands that have received so many precious children as they make their first tentative steps into their schooling life, I can say with absolute certainty Melissa that in amongst those tears you need to take a moment to breathe deep, smile and pat yourself on the back because from the moment Alexander entered the world you've knowingly and unknowingly been preparing him for this moment and there's no other mother on the face of this earth that could have had Alexander as prepared for this moment, and all the moments good and bad that lie ahead, as what you have - be proud of what you've acomplished and will continue to accomplish with your little man. With you in his corner, Alexander will make his way through all that comes his way knowing that he has your support, your love, your nurturing and he has YOU. As a teacher I would have been so proud to take your Alexander into my hands, my classroom and my heart because not only is he an amazingly precious little soul he also has one AMAZING Mummy behind him. Be sad for the fact that your little boy is growing up and starting on his school journey which also means he is no longer solely in the care, protection and love of his Mummy or those you know and trust but be proud of how incredibly well you have prepared him for that. No matter how he reacts tomorrow or the coming days just keep reminding yourself that NOBODY could have prepared him any better than you have so in amongst those tears please take a moment to be proud of the job you've done because you have every right to be so very very proud.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and Alexander today. I hope it goes smoothly - for both of you.
ReplyDeleteK x
How did your gorgeous boy go this morning? More to the point, how did you go ;)
ReplyDeleteBeen thinking of you too Melissa.
ReplyDeleteLove to hear your story from today!
xx Averil