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Registered the Munchkin for Kindergarten

bestcee

bestcee

In love with places I've never been to
Joined
Dec 18, 2013
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Man, that was intimidating!

First, we found out that it's a full day, not a half day. Um, I don't know how either of us will adjust to that?

Second, we saw the lunch and school calendar. What if he can't open the milk at lunch?!?! But at least he has a Thanksgiving break, Christmas break (2 weeks), and Spring Break.

Then, we learned about the bus. And frankly, I know that teachers help kids every day, but can anyone reassure me? If we follow the directions, and he has the color band, he will make it to the right bus? Right?!?

And tomorrow we go back. He meets his teacher, and we get a tour.

I'm a little bit of a nervous wreck. I want him to be excited for school. But he is my only kid, and we waited so long for him, it's hard to let him go. I know he's capable, and smart. But he's still only 6. Sigh. I was feeling much better when it was only half day kindergarten with lunch at home.
 
oh such a big step. My first day, with first child, was a breeze. The second day. Oh I was a mess. I went to the gym feeling rather independent to go without a child. I got 3 minutes into the work out, and collapsed in tears. Such drama. I was booger and tears. I had to explain, my son 2nd day of school between heavy tears...and so grateful for the moms that were there that just hugged me.
lol
 
I have a kindergartener this year- and I was way more nervous than he was. He's done awesome- sometimes forgets stuff at school that he's supposed to bring home (coat, lunchbox) but for teh most part- he's really shown his independence. As sad as that makes me... it's gone really well. Even on the bus! ;) Good luck momma!
 
Aw! You can get through it. I really think that the Kindergarten transition can be harder for the parent than for the child. :) Trust the teachers. They want your child to have a good day and they've done this before (for lots of kids and for--I'm guessing here lol--lots of years). The bus drivers too. Having said that, pretend to be positive for him and maybe you'll fool yourself into being ok with the transition too. :giggle Maybe after you meet his teacher you'll feel better cuz he/she/they can reassure you.
HUGS! We're all here for you! :grouphug
 
Aw, hugs! You will be ok, and he is so resilient and open to new experiences than you are at his age! He will be so excited to come home and share the tales of school. They will get him on the correct bus, help him open his milk, and give him a hug when he misses you. The tour and teacher will be such a big help to calm your nerves! It's ok to share that your nervous to him, but also your excitement for him too! He will understand that his feelings might mirror yours.

We had pre-school and day care since I work full time. Each time I dropped off the kids after maternity leave was the hardest. I called my mom crying with each boy, even knowing it would be hard after my oldest. I gave it a week, and then two and then I felt normal/ok again.

Hugs, Courtney, it's a big step for both of you!
 
Oh, I am feeling for you, a year in advance of when I will know for myself. I am soooooo nervous about my youngest starting K next year! She's excited so... I have to let it go!
 
I have one who graduated last year, one in 10th, baby in 8th. ENJOY these days :) You'll both adjust to full day. If anything he'll fall asleep earlier maybe. Think of all the fun moments you are going to have to scrap soon...lol


They grow up so fast :(
 
These are all totally normal feelings your having! Rest assured though that the school will make sure each child knows where they need to be and will get them there.
My two youngest children (21 & 17) were the ones that also had all day for Kindergarten, my daughter LOVED it! She had no issues. My son would get tired so his teacher had those children lay their heads down for a little while. Not sure what the policy will be in your school. I would have my son lay down on the couch as soon as he got home and I would let him sleep for 1/2 hour and then get him up. He needed that.
Just know that you need to let them go and they need to learn their schedule the same as all the other children are. Don't give in to their demands if they ask you to pick them up or want you to stay with them at school. Give them time to adjust and then when they are you can then do volunteer work if you would like! I was a room mom and that was always fun to be there during those special events!

(hugs) I know it is so hard to let them go that first time.
 
Hugs. Be so thankful that your child has been prepared by your hands to begin to make his way in the world independently.
This is such a huge scary step for everyone. But all can do it. Stay close to watch, be supportive, be cautious, and be prepared to stand back when its time to let him fly.
 
Sokee said:
Don't give in to their demands if they ask you to pick them up or want you to stay with them at school.
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That's not really an option. LOL. The kindergarteners have their own playground, and it's fenced. Parents are not allowed in through the fence at drop off, just at pick up. Starting tomorrow he'll ride the bus, so we won't even drop him off.

Lindzee said:
This is such a huge scary step for everyone. But all can do it. Stay close to watch, be supportive, be cautious, and be prepared to stand back when its time to let him fly.
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Thanks. Great encouragement.

We dropped him off this morning. He went through the fence, we stayed outside. His teacher came over to meet us, and there's something about a kindergarten teacher that is dressed in dark colors, with clothes that look like they sit on the floor often and easily that adds a sense of relief. She had him by the hand, and was chatting with him. He's excited for 'Hot Lunch' and that he got to take his Paw Patrol backpack, and that there's another boy named Matthew in his class.

Now to adjust to the quiet.
 
Hang in there, momma!!! It feels sooooo hard at first, but it is so good for them! :) We had Kennedy in pre-k, but it was only 2.5 hours 3 days a week, so we thought that it was going to be crazy hard for him. AND his pre-k teacher was a real negative Nelly about his chances of success at kindergarten. She said she didn't think he'd be able to handle it. We were so nervous. He has ADHD, anxiety and SPD, so it was really nervewracking for us to send him off for a full day. But he did so fantastic. We were so relieved!!! And he had an awesome year. We don't have the bus option, but teachers are great and there are a lot of steps involved in their release protocol, so I'm sure it will be fine. My nephew (with Autism) started taking the bus this year (he's in 2nd), and he absolutely loves it!
 
Hang in there Courtney! only 12 years til you send him off to college and go into a real panic! But from my experience, parents and children actually do survive all these big milestones! {{{hugs}}}
 
I've been thinking about you off and on all day . . .

I was alternately happy and sad when mine started kindergarten. And now each year that school starts, it's a time of rejoicing. LOL Not really. I love my kiddos and love having them home around me . . . but they are older and self-sufficient.

It's amazing how much children can be responsible for at such an early age. He can handle riding the bus and following directions ~ he's a smart kiddo!

Sending you ((HUGS)) and know that I'm praying for you (and him)!
 
gonewiththewind said:
He can handle riding the bus and following directions ~ he's a smart kiddo!
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So, my bus fear stems from stories. Because I swear I have a story for everything. Sigh.

When I was in 2nd grade, and my brother was a kindergartener we rode the bus together. I sat in the front with a friend, and got off. The bus drove off! My brother was farther back, and had fallen asleep! My dad started running down the road to catch the bus to get him to stop to get my brother.

Then, when I was in 3rd grade, I ended up on the wrong bus. I don't know how, and why the driver didn't notice, maybe it was a sub? But I rode the entire route, with my brothers. Finally the driver stopped, and came over to ask why we were still on the bus. Well, because you haven't gone to our house yet! Turned out one bus stopped on one side of the highway, and another bus stopped on the other side. He dropped us off. But my parents were freaking out a little because we hadn't shown up yet.

I know he can do it. And I think of all the times I rode the bus just fine - (K - 9). I also know that a lot of bussing policies have changed since the 80's & 90's.But those two incidents stick out in my mind!
 
So what did Matthew have to say? Did he survive the whole day. Better yet, did you?
 
Aw, I'm sure that both you and he will get used to all the big changes that come with kindergarten. I know that both of mine did great the first week and then weeks 2-4 they were SO tired and therefore a little crabbier, but then they loved school. We go to our church's school and we don't have busses, so I never had to do that part, but you could also just drive behind the bus and be "that" parent. Lol. I have heard many stories about Moms doing that.

In the meantime, enjoy the quiet! :)
 
@bestcee I totally get that . . . I have my own bus stories. Have mercy, the bus. LOL

Nowadays though (even since Olivia was a bus rider 6-7 years ago), with cameras on the buses . . . not to mention our district has an app now where you can track the bus, including the route, stops, etc. . . . it's a bit better. I'm not sure if your area has the bus tracker app, but it's worth asking the transportation office about.

As far as getting on the wrong bus, that might still happen, but it's less likely. For Daniel to even ride the bus home with his friend, I have to send a note and he has to have a special pass to even get on the bus! After Daniel rode the bus, he insists I still pick him up and drop him off. His major complaint? Noise. The noise. LOL

After all that encouragement, though, I totally know that your mom senses are going to have you worrying . . . because that's just what we do! LOL
 
carilyne said:
So what did Matthew have to say? Did he survive the whole day. Better yet, did you?
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He was hilarious! He said school is too long, so he got really tired. But he didn't want to lay down his head because he didn't want to go down the clip chart. Lunch was good because he got a grilled cheese and chocolate milk! But he needs to take lunch tomorrow, so he can show off his lunch pail. He said some kids were mean to one of his friends, because it's the first day, and he's 6 - so everyone is his friend! And he got to build with blocks, but some boy wanted to break them.
He trickled out information all night long.

Me? I'm still unpacking, so right now it's kinda nice having him busy during the day.


Karen said:
but you could also just drive behind the bus and be "that" parent.
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I totally thought about this. The getting on the bus I'm not worried about, it's the getting home. But we were able to see the blue bands this morning, so he knows what color to look for. Plus, I grilled him on making sure he tells his teacher he's riding the bus, and to give her the paper! Since she did the same for me to fill out her papers from last night, I'm sure she'll be looking.
 
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