Ha ha, thought it was a fitting title for my oldest "baby" as he starts Kindergarten. He had a warm-up run w/ bussing during summer school, which I think helped make that part of the day a piece of cake. He waited for the bus driver to give him the wave, crossed the road, and on the bus he went, into the first seat-and went right to the window to wave. I watched the bus pull away, and a tear rolled down my face as I walked back up to the house. I never thought I'd feel like that-that I was "stronger" than that. But it is so hard to fathom that your first baby in on that bus, and gone for the entire day-learning, playing, and growing. Somehow it was different working fulltime, or leaving the girls in daycare for the day-but to know he's gone because he has to be, just makes that realization set in.
What is the hardest for me to grasp, is that he's out in this wide, wide world, without his strongest supporter protecting him: me. School leaves way for all these great opportunities; however, it also leads way to mean kids, bullies, older kids setting poor examples, less supervision than say the hawk who has watched over him for 5 years and can literally tell you what he's doing, w/ out even seeing him. It is impossible to convey to a 5 year old, let alone a teenager-that all the bullshit they will endure during K-12 grade really doesn't matter when they walk out those high school doors w/ their dipoloma.
Alex has already experienced first hand some issues w/ one particular mean kid, I know a lot of this behavior is typical 5-6 year old boy behaviors; but I also know that some of it is not. I know Alex is not being singled out in this instance, but he has had continuing issues w/ this little boy since last year. My heart dropped a little when I saw this little boy at orientation night and saw that he was indeed in the same class as Alex. It was at that moment I realized I couldn't protect him from everything anymore, the child in me wanted to go to the principal and tell them to give my child another class, teacher, etc. but I can't possibly put him in a bubble as soon as Kindergarten:).
Instead, I gave his teacher, as well as the daycare director a heads up to the previous issues we have had w/ this particular boy. Last year when instances would occur w/ this child, I would try to just accept that this little boy had some attention/behavior issues and try to make Alex understand this. This year I'm not as sympathetic. In the few days before school started Alex was not excited about school, finally when I asked him if anything was bothering him-he specifically mentioned that he didn't want to be in said boy's class because he's mean and naughty. Alex does realize this little boy is "different", which I hate to put a label on someone else's child; however, I don't think that Alex should have to take the brunt for this boys issues-it is only fair that every child be given the opportunity to learn w/ out outside forces contributing negatively to each respective student. I feel for this child, but Alex is my sole concern-that is the selfish part of parenthood, that need of only wanting your children to experience the best life possible.
I can't bubble him up, but I can set him up for the best school experience as possible: a chance. That is why I brought the issues to the adult's attention who are part of his academic life, I also tell Alex on a regular basis to just be Alex, and let the adults around him take care of the other kids who are having problems. If the teacher's aren't handling the issues, bring them to my attention. I'm not dumb, I know Alex has his own naughty moments, and I also know that he's a bit of a tattler (he has two younger sisters, what do you expect). Communication w/ those who are key in Alex's school experience will have to be my bubble, as I know these types of issues will only get worse w/ age.
On the lighter side of things, my tears have dried and I've had to move on w/ my reality. School has a way of putting life back into order: Laura wakes up in time to see Alex on the bus, she eats, and gets ready; Ainslee wakes, eats and gets ready; and gasp-I even have time to clean the house a bit and get dinner started! Off to daycare and work we go, after work-pick girls up, pick Alex up from afterschool, and home for the night. Crazy, yet peaceful. . . the story of our lives!
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