It didn’t truly sink in until I made that call. “Hi, yes, um, my daughter is starting kindergarten this fall, and I need to know what the registration process is.”
Then it all hit me. This is it. The final months I’ll have my daughter all to myself before she embarks on this new journey. By September, she’ll be stepping out of our home and into the care of her (nurturing, skilled, dedicated) teachers.
She’ll meet new classmates, some of whom will be friendly while others might not be. For countless hours each day, I won’t be there to protect her from negative experiences or to celebrate her victories. The responsibility of her well-being will start to shift away from me.
The thought is daunting. Even though being a stay-at-home mom isn’t exactly my favorite role, I’ve grown accustomed to being there for her needs and maintaining a level of control over our environment. As school looms closer, our days and nights will require more structure. I’ve relished our carefree, spontaneous days, and soon, that will be a thing of the past.
On the flip side, the less controlling part of me anticipates this change. My social butterfly of a daughter is eagerly looking forward to it. It’s a significant milestone, a space where I know she will thrive, but until that moment arrives…
We’re determined to make the most of these last few months together. I want to embrace our freedom to do what we wish, without the constraints that the school year will bring. If she prefers to lounge in her pajamas until noon, then that’s our plan. Want to catch a matinee of the latest animated feature? Count us in! Late-night cuddles without a morning agenda? Absolutely.
I recognize that the world won’t come crashing down when she boards that school bus for the first time, but this chapter of our lives is closing, and it hurts. I want to fully enjoy her presence. I want to engage in tea parties, play with dolls, and let her relish being a little girl, as this precious stage won’t last forever.
With school becoming more demanding at younger ages than when I was a child, I want her to savor every moment of childhood before the reality of homework and schedules takes hold. I want to enjoy those carefree moments alongside her.
My baby girl, my firstborn, is maturing, and I’m definitely not prepared for it. I know I’ll be an emotional wreck on that first day of school, but until then, I choose to embrace our laid-back lifestyle for as long as possible. I’m committed to saying “yes” when she asks for playtime or storytime. I’ll gladly say “yes” to one more show after her brother drifts off to sleep, snuggled in my lap. It’s the least I can do, as I will deeply miss her daily presence.
Starting school marks the beginning of her journey toward independence, and it signifies a shift in our relationship. While I still have her to myself, I’m going to shower her with love and affection so that when she steps into that classroom on the first day, she knows she is cherished, she is resilient, and she has the potential to achieve anything she dreams. And at the end of the day, her mom will always be just a heartbeat away.
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In summary, as I prepare for this significant transition, I’m focusing on creating lasting memories with my daughter during these final months of unstructured time together.