Tuesday, September 2, 2008

School...already?


As I was writing to my wonderful friend Jenny I met through Etsy I was going on and on about a subject i can't stand to think about. Sending my babies to school. I realized I should be sharing this with all of you. I know some of you are going through or will be going through or have even gone through this 20 years ago, so some advice would be great.


As me and the kids did some grocery shopping around back to school time, they saw their favorite characters on backpacks. They looked so cute with them on. I got them each one so my 3 and 4 year old are walking around with back packs on & it makes me want to cry every time I see it. I can't believe they are just out of the womb and I'm suppose to put them on tons of metal with no seat belts and send them to be taken care by people I don't know! The only thing that stresses me out more is health issues. Thank God none of us have. The only thing that comforts me is that millions of people send their kids to school everyday, but that doesn't bring much comfort :(
They are so small and they are just babies. I don't feel confident in any manor to home school & of course private school isn't an option. So please, tell me how do all of you do it?


Since I started dreading this months ago I decided to start a garden thinking it would get all of us out in the yard. The kids would get some fresh air and I would get some exercise. It makes you appreciate your "space" & it's beautiful to pull up and see some roses. The main reason I did it though was that I thought next year when I'm sending my first born off to school it will give me something to do to pass the time . My garden is doing well this year but I have a feeling it's going to be immaculate next year when I'm stressing out hardcore when he's gone.

Side note: A $6 wicker headboard at a consignment store for a trellis for my tomatoes.
And to calm myself down ....we'll end with some gorgeous sky creations God made this week.

8 comments:

Jessica Rodarte said...

Angela,
I can empathize with how you feel sending your babies to school. My oldest started Kindergarten this month, too, and it's hard for me. She loves it, but *sigh* she's my baby, and nobody will watch her and love her the way I do. What helps me is volunteering in her class. I feel comforted knowing how she spends her day, and how safe her environment is. I volunteered today actually. I like the teacher to get to know me, too. I am a concerned, super-duper (maybe ridiculously?) involved parent, and I like to get that across to the teacher. On orientation day, the principal at my daughter's school jokingly said, "We'll have support groups for the mom's on the first day of school in the parking lot to comfort each other." :) It shouldn't have been a joke; he should've done it for real!!
Your kids will adjust and so will you. I better write that down somewhere to tell myself the same thing daily, too. :)
By the way, I love your new lace "face" lifts. Too cute! xoxo

Jessica Rodarte said...

Secret spy. Totally! :) That's exactly what I am. ha ha. Aaah, I see one more year... have you thought about maybe enrolling him in a preschool class once or twice a week to let him get a little more used to the idea of going to school? Before school started for my little one, I also kept hyping up the school experience, so she would be excited to go and not scared. I think having a loving family helps them adjust, too. They feel secure and confident in themselves and the situations that surround them including school... and you have the loving family down! You already miss him, and you still have some time left. :)

Sherry said...

I can't wait to send my 8 & 9 year olds to school tomorrow. They're driving me crazy. They love school and the challenges. They handle themselves so well, but I still worry about them. Earl and I were just talking tonight about how Jace's speech therapist said maybe in January when he turns 3 he should go to preschool. NO WAY, he's my baby and he's not going away yet!! I'm keeping him home as long as I can. I start crying just thinking about him leaving me all day long. Even after 7 other kids going off and venturing out it's still hard for me to let them leave for the first time. I'm not sure you ever learn to deal with it!!

Sorry, not much help with that one!
Sherry

Bev said...

Angela,
I felt the same way you did 12 years ago. My oldest is 17 and a Senior in High School this year - I can't believe it! The first day he got on the big orange bus, I bawled my eyes out - what-ifs, can he survive without his mother?, what will he be doing all day?, will he make new friends?.....All those unanswered questions. I think they should let Moms put mini cameras on their kids so they can get through the withdrawl easier!
Then, fast forward..for me yesterday while "my big boy" was getting his Senior pictures taken (all sitting up straight, smiling, and 17)...again, me bawling!

See, the bawling never ends and you won't believe where all the time went when they are grown, so my advice to you is...take lots of "steppin on the bus" pics, remember this day, cause it will always be a reminder...when they graduate that they really were OK!

Hope that helps a little...

Leah's Art Magic said...

Oh Angela, I remember those days when my two went to school for the first time. I was in tears. My oldest is now in his 2nd year of college and I cried when he left two days ago. I worry about him even now. My daughter will be graduating this year. I will be a "empty nester". I do know one thing that might help you and it was suggested above. Volunteer at the school two or three days a week. I did,until they were in third grade and I am so glad I did. The teachers get to know you and other kids get to know you. Go on field trips too. But, you must take time for yourself too. Do somethings that you wouldn't do with the kids. Visit more antique shops! Take more photos(you take great photo's!) and try something new! Painting, drawing, sewing or whatever you have been thinking about doing but haven't had the time to do. I hope this helps.

Your ACEO card is lovely!

Sincerely, Leah

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Hi! Oh my goodness- they are only 3 and 4 and you are sending them to school? Yikes. Why not wait for kindergarten? I home schooled my first son for kindergarten last year when he was 5 years old because he was not ready to go to school and I was not ready to send him, either. It is not difficult to home school for kindergarten. I just bought some books from Walmart and we did page by page together. It was easy and he learned to read! It was a great experience. It was so hard sending him off to school this year, but he was ready and I knew he needed to learn in a more structured environment and be with kids everyday. He has been in school for only a week and a half and I miss him everyday! I guess I'm not really helping here, am I?
LOL!! Sorry. Your yard is so beautiful- looks like a wonderful place to enjoy time with your adorable little ones! They are SO cute!!
Michelle

The Other Side of Me said...

Hi Angela,

My little one started at a church preschool last year at age 2 and she loved it. I cried like crazy the first day and had such anxiety about leaving her with anyone but family. This year she went back with such excitement and exhuberance that we were all happy. My daughter is 3 and next year she will go to the 4K public school program here in GA. It is an all day program, so I have only one last year of her part time then she will start her elementary career. I feel like I just weened her from the breast! How life goes so fast.
They will feel your anxiety, so smile right through it! This too shall pass.

Hugs to you,
Tammy

Jennifer said...

look at all the long comments you got here! i think i won't post my email here. blogger might ban me! yikes! i love all the pics of your cuties! and yes, i am going to comment on all your posts that i haven't recently!