As my son donned his kindergarten cap and gown, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. The photo captured him perfectly—adorably awkward, resembling his father at the same age, with a long neck, endearing ears that stick out just enough, and a mouth filled with baby gums and a few missing teeth. It’s a phase I cherish deeply.
However, as the end of kindergarten approaches, I find myself feeling a bit melancholic. This little boy has worked so hard and grown tremendously, and as a first-time mom of a kindergarten graduate, I was unprepared for the emotional whirlwind that accompanies this milestone.
The contrast between a kindergartener on his first day and one ready to graduate is astounding. Watching him flourish fills me with pride, yet it also invokes nostalgia for the baby he was when he first stepped into “big kid school.”
During that pivotal first week, I walked him to class, assisted him with his backpack, and ensured he was settled in. His first Friday was dubbed “Independence Day,” where he proudly wore a shirt proclaiming, “I’m a kindergartener!” Teachers adorned in red, white, and blue lined the hallways, guiding our little ones to their classrooms.
Leaving him that morning was heart-wrenching. I couldn’t witness him happily entering class, and instead had to rely on hope that he wouldn’t feel lost or scared. Tears streamed down my face as I drove home, longing for the moment I could hold him again.
Yet, like many children, my kindergartener rose to the occasion. He was ready for Independence Day, even if it felt like just yesterday he was still my baby.
Initially, he was inexperienced—unfamiliar with writing, finding the restroom, or using the drinking fountain. He wore a tag on a lanyard to remember the lunch line code, occasionally shedding tears for missing his mommy, comforted by his kind-hearted teacher.
As graduation nears, all his uncertainties have vanished. He confidently navigates the school, even leading me by the hand during my volunteer days. His teacher now trusts him to use the bathroom independently, a stark contrast to his antics at home!
Throughout the year, he absorbed an incredible amount of knowledge. On his first day, he could only write his name and read a few words. Now, he reads books, writes fluently, and can perform simple math. Just this morning, he told my husband, “Mom bought 20 bags of crackers, but we ate three. 20 minus 3 is 17! We have 17 left!” This transformation is what kindergarten offers.
I entrusted his teacher with a timid child, and after months, she returns to me a self-assured, capable student, ready to embark on his educational journey. With all the “lasts” of kindergarten approaching, I feel a mix of nostalgia for the baby he once was, admiration for the growth he’s achieved, and excitement for his future.
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