My “Baby” is Starting School

0

“You’re sending her to school?”

“So soon?”

“But she’s still a baby!!”

“Why?”

These are just a few of the many questions I’ve received in response to telling my family and friends that my (soon-to-be) 2-year-old old daughter will be starting Pre-K 2 this August.

Yes, Pre-K, not daycare. Granted, she’s only going 3 times a week for half a day; we’re trying to ease into it. Some comments have been positive, don’t get me wrong, but for some reason the shocking and negative responses are the ones that stick with me. It makes me question if what I’m doing is right or wrong. In all honesty I’m starting to get anxiety over it!

Will her teacher be nice?

Will she like school?

Will she make friends?

Will she be able to communicate with me if she has a problem at school?

I’m a teacher. I’ve been teaching for going on 10 years, and I truly believe school and education is very important! I want nothing but the best for my baby. There was a time I thought about home-schooling her. I could be her teacher, her counselor, her coach, her bestie. I could even be the “cool” lunch lady that only makes her favorite foods.

I thought about being that mom that would forever keep her baby in a bubble. Just two peas in a pod. Mommy and my mini-me, conquering the world!

But, if you knew my daughter, you would instantly know she’s made for so much more. My “bubble” baby is growing up so fast. She’s observant and smart and has so much sass! As a teacher, I have struggled with students to be as independent as she is at only being 22 months. As a teacher, I struggle with students speaking in complete sentences. My daughter’s first sentence was “I do poop, mommy!”, which she yelled at the top of her lungs while eating dinner at Olive Garden a few months ago. I know my baby is going to do great in school, even if she’s only a baby.

Ready or not…

There’s no turning back now! We already spent $110 on her school supplies! I’ve never been on this end of the “back to school” craze! I can see why some parents don’t buy all the supplies for their children; especially if they have more than one attending school.

[Related: Guide to Schools, Preschools & Daycare in the RGV]

School uniform shirts have been ordered in a tiny size 2T. Her khaki pants and skirts have come in as well, which she proudly modeled for her daddy! School uniforms on such a tiny body are just the cutest thing to see, honestly.

Her tiny toddler backpack came in the mail today, embroidered with her name and all. She was definitely excited about that! I might order one in my size too.

Lunch box, Thermos and sandwich bags are coming in the mail soon! Thank goodness for Amazon Prime. I don’t know how I could live without it.

Oh! Not to mention, I have made her teacher the cutest little gift bag. I’ve gotten so many ideas over the years from gifts I’ve received from my students!

The only thing left is waiting for her 1st day of school! Which, by the way, is also my 1st day of school! The thought of not being able to drop her off at school for her first day just kills me inside. I know how hard first days can be… I’ve had 10 first days as a teacher, but this will be my first as a mother, who happens to be a teacher that needs to be at school for her students too.

I know, in the back of my mind, that if I could be there for her first day of school, I would probably not be able to leave her. I would find any and every excuse to bring her home early. Parents would question who is the adult and who is the child, based on my tears. I would definitely make it harder for her, I know this. I need to keep reminding myself that my bubble baby is not meant to be in bubble.

Ready or not, My “Baby” is starting school!

school**Update!**

My daughter’s first day of school has come and gone and there were no tears from either of us, surprisingly. She absolutely loves her teacher and all her new friends. Not to mention, she “claims” to have made a lot of boyfriends, although there is only one boy in her class. Daddy is not very excited about that news! In the end, she is doing great in these short three weeks she’s been attending school. I could not have been happier about our decision. 

 

 

 

Previous articleWhy I Don’t Honk in the RGV
Next articlePumpkin Patch Guide [RGV 2017]
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a traditional valley girl, born and raised, with a real and honest passion for writing that began as a very young girl. She shares her home and heart with a 3 yr old beautiful little human being named Isabella Samantha and her loving husband, Sam. She is recently a stay at home mom, or as she likes to call herself, a Family Manager, with 10 years of elementary teaching experience under her belt. She loves scrapbooking, journaling, crafting and reading. On her free time, she likes to spend time with her mom, travel, go to the movies and enjoy family time! Her guilty pleasures include the likes of iced coffee, Netflix, Amazon and tacos!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here