I came across a reminder from Suzie Allison, more commonly known by her Instagram handle as busytoddler, the other day. She wisely said, “Do not rush out to buy flashcards, workbooks, or computer programs. Enjoy time with your child. Be together, hold tight, love each other. Walk forward toward kindergarten, supporting the independent steps they’re about to take without you.” It provided necessary clarity and re-centered me as I enjoy the last few days of summer with my middle child, who will board the bus with his brother later this week.
My second-born and I haven’t always had an easy go. We have had almost six years together, the majority of those days with him velcroed to me for large parts of the day. It’s not that he’s especially shy, but he is incredibly physical, which results in a lot of time with him following me around the house, requesting that I snuggle him, wrestle, etc. While I generally decline the wrestling invitations because I’m 37 and draw the line there, I do my best to meet his needs when I can. This has brought me immense joy, but it’s also been suffocating at times, if I’m being honest. As my earliest riser, he has spent the last two years up every morning as I’ve dragged my oldest out of bed to make the bus on time, reminding him that his time would come one day. There have been many days when I have wished for him to hop right on that bus with big brother and head off to kindergarten.
Well, guess what? His time has come. His backpack is ready; he has gone through his school supplies at least twenty times to make sure he has everything. We are having lots of conversations about what he will choose for lunch, which specials will be his favorite, and if he’ll have big brother’s teacher. Living in the tension of “It’s time” and “How did we get here?” has reared its head again as we enjoy the latest episode of “Motherhood Whiplash“. I am thrilled to send him off to school for opportunities to expand his world and for teachers and friends to experience his passion and zest for life. Our house will be MUCH quieter, and I’ll miss him. But I’m ready. More importantly, so is he. Does he know every single one of his letters and sounds? Nope. Can he read? Nope. But he’s ready. He is confident, capable, a good friend, and so brave.
So for me, kindergarten readiness will involve spending these next few days soaking him in, letting him listen to the Zombies soundtrack multiple times a day, admiring his drawings, shooting hoops, doling out snacks around the clock, and doing an extra load of laundry so he can wear his favorite shirt on the first day of school. Our journey will look a little different moving forward as he shares little pieces of himself with all the new people he’s yet to meet. I will treasure these last six years; they were hard fought, but wow, am I proud of us. I look so forward to cheering him on for whatever comes next; I have no doubt it will surprise and delight us. I love you, my beautiful boy. We did it!
