School started this week. On Monday. It is now Wednesday. Hannah starts tomorrow. And I will post pictures after her 1st day so they can all be together, but I wanted to post some thoughts.
Jacob started 3rd grade and Sam started 1st. I love the start of a new school year. It feels like a new beginning...like January 1st and Spring. What is it going to bring? And every year when school starts, I think about going back to school. Now, I am a terrible student, so I don't know why I think about going back, but there it is.
However, with my children, each new school year, while exciting, is also just a bit heartbreaking. I know this is what God intends. We grow a bit each year and become more independent. But as a mom, how do I know what is really best for them? They(okay, really Jacob) wants to walk home on their own this year. We live about a block from the school, so it isn't too far. And the route they would take, the streets they would cross have crossing guards and they walk past houses of people that I know. So what is the problem? Will Jacob make sure and get Sam? Will they come straight home? Jacob tends to get distracted easily-much like his mother. If there is someone to talk to, he will stop and talk. And he lolly gags-kind of like his grandpa. And strangers....so many things. Jacob is ready, but I am not sure that I am. Plus, I am home and it really isn't any big deal to go up there and meet them. And Sam is only in 1st grade. Fears....I should just let it go.
Then we have school work. Jacob is going to be doing book reports this year. One a month. Projects really stressed me out when I was in school. They stress me out 10 times more for my kids. I want Jacob to be on top of his school work and to succeed in school. He does really well, especially reading and language, but math comes a little bit harder for him. How do I help him succeed and not feel the stress I did? He loves art and he enjoys music. And PE and recess are always a favorite. I am excited about his teacher. I met her on the first day, and even though I didn't spend more than a minute with her, I had a really good feeling. At the end of the day I couldn't find Jacob and his teacher said he had walked off with his nose in a book. She then said something else about reading-she already had him a little bit figured out.
And then there is Sam. My big 1st grader. A year of spelling tests and math and reading. He isn't quite as big a reader as Jacob. He does it, but Jacob will surround himself with (again, like his mom), while Sam would rather be outside playing catch. But Sam is a hard worker and will stick with anything he needs to get done. He is mr. right on top of it. If he has something that needs to be done, he wants to get it done. Which will help me, because I am a procrastinator-much like my oldest child. Sam is so easy going that he just takes things as they come. Again, I am excited about his teacher as well. We have been so blessed with wonderful teachers.
So a new school year. New crayons and backpacks and tennis shoes. New friends and new experiences. New opportunities to grow. Growing up and letting go. Who knew it would be so hard-on me?
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