First Day
When we talked about the upcoming start of school, Seth hadn’t expressed anything but excitement. So when the “big day” arrived, sunny and promising, he was ready. He was armed with a cool haircut, wearing his prized Sketchers, and was ready for the action. Or so I thought.
Ten minutes before the bus was to arrive, he asked me to take him. I grumbled about it being the last minute. I said “no” at first. He persisted. I relented. And I’m so glad I did.
In the car, I snuck a peek at him through the rearview window. He looked sad.
“What’s the matter, bunny?”
“I’m nervous. I don’t know if I’ll be able to learn everything in first grade. What if I can’t pay attention like last year?”
My heart melted. I remember being nervous the first day of school but I assumed it was only me who’d felt that way. I was a nervous kid full of self-doubt. Seth is a happy kid with self-confidence.
We walked into his school together. He remembered where his new classroom was and recognized his teacher from the ice cream social they had the day before. He sat down at his desk, chatted with a few of his old classmates, and seemed perfectly at ease. We took a few photos (with camera phone because I didn’t think to bring the real camera) and then he said in a very serious manner, “Mom. You can go home now. I’ll be ok.”
And so he was.
(The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the bad news turned into good news.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.
So thanks to: Sally, Pattie,Gregg, Jill, Heather G, Dawn, Tania, Amy, Jana, Christina, Kerri, Raising Z, Theresa, Jillian Inc, and Kerrie.
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By Linlee, August 16, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
I’m glad his first day went well. I’m sure there are lots of little ones scared to death about starting school right about now.
By Ree, August 16, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
Aw, how sweet! I STILL have lunch once/year with my first grade teacher - it’s such a “growing up” year.
By flutter, August 16, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
SO adorable.
By Dawn, August 16, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
I love first days of school. Just so full of so much potential and excitement.
I’m glad he had a great day.
By Jill (CDJ), August 17, 2008 @ 1:36 am
What a nice story. And a lesson that we all need to listen to what are kids are really trying to tell us! Happy first day of school little man!
By liz, August 17, 2008 @ 1:50 am
awww. this made me tear up a little.
he’ll be just fine.
and i’ll count on you to throw that right back at me when my boy starts nursery school in three weeks.
By SarahHub @ Oakbriar Farm, August 17, 2008 @ 2:13 am
Oh, he just needed his mommy for a few minutes!
By Beth, August 17, 2008 @ 3:22 am
Awwww…… that’s sweet!
By Painted Maypole, August 17, 2008 @ 5:42 am
oooh… we just had the first day of first grade here, too. how fast thye grow up!
By Carrie, August 17, 2008 @ 5:58 am
And that’s why moms put kahlua in their coffee on the mornings of the first day of school . . .
Glad it went well!
By Pattie, August 17, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
The first day of school is so hard! ;-(
I am glad it went well for him. I’m sure my kids will be the same way next Monday when they go back.
Sooooo glad you are feeling better, too.
By Theresa, August 17, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
I can understand your situation - my son had a rough Kindergarten year where he was considered high risk because he wasn’t learning his letters and numbers and all the other things they teach in K. He had a special team of people dedicated to making sure he was getting the extra attention he needed but they did not push us to get an ADHD diagnosis so I did not, because quite frankly I do not like those medicines. Anyway, his teacher had went back and forth from him being very good in class, to almost a dire attitude where drugs were going to be needed and back to him being excellent. I never knew what was up, so I just kept in constant contact with her and did what I could from home. She said he was doing much better when he graduated… but I am so nervous about this year. It’s a big deal this 1st grade - learning to read and write, among many other major milestones. So tomorrow is his first full day and I’m praying that he just “gets” it this year!
I’m glad to hear Seth’s went well and here’s to his 1st grade year being equally as good!
By Shelly, August 17, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Ah, the nerve wracking anticipation of the first day of school. What a cutie!
By Sandra, August 17, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Hooray for good first days. We are already in full on anticipation mode and our first day isn’t for 2 weeks.
xo
By HollowSquirrel, August 18, 2008 @ 12:13 am
My goodness, our schools start much later than most of the country. Our kids still have a good 2 weeks!
Your boy looks so happy and sweet!
I’m sure you’re very proud of him.
By Gregg, August 18, 2008 @ 12:35 am
My youngest daughter started first grade this year, too. She was nervous, but likes it already. There is an over-the-top boy/girl ratio in her class and many of the boys weren’t nice to the girls. I think that made Kindergarten hard.
I haven’t heard any complaints so far this year!
And “thanks” for the “thanks!” The St. Louis (and beyond) blogger community can really pull together, can’t they? I’m so glad things have worked out.
By Gina, August 18, 2008 @ 3:00 am
wait a minute… he started school already??? here in Fl tomorrow is the big day… lots of anticipation.
By Anissa@Hope4Peyton, August 18, 2008 @ 3:46 am
It’s awesome to know that the time when they’re starting to get more independent, they still need you. Even just to drive them to school so they have time to mentally prepare.
By Jim, August 18, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
That’s awesome. Congrats on a good first day. My son’s first day of kindergarten is next week and it’s making me all nervous. I can barely imagine how he feels about it. He says he’s excited, but when he’s staring at the door to the school, I’m going to make sure I’m there.
By Susan, August 18, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
That is so sweet! I can still remember to this day how I felt on the first day of school. My girl is getting ready to start 6th grade, tomorrow, and I wonder will she still want me to walk her into class?
By Kim/hormone-colored days, August 18, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
I haven’t been over here in a few weeks. I am so glad to know your bad news is no longer!!
By Jakki, August 18, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
My boys started school today and even though they ‘appeared’ to not be nervous…I think they were. That whole unknown thing is so nerve wrecking!! Sometimes I think my reaction is worse than theirs is…
By Debbie, August 18, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
Heart-warming stuff aside, I can’t believe how adorable your little guy is! Love that smug smile. And while I don’t know what your husband looks like, WOW, Seth certainly favors your side of the family.
By Kim, August 18, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Aw, too cute. I love the first day of school!
By Peace, August 19, 2008 @ 12:43 am
I am glad you are doing better. As one who has had to have yearly colonoscopies and know exactly what you were talking about with the crappy cocktail (no pun intended) you need to let me know how you mixed it with 7-Up I didn’t know you could do that. I have been drinking that Go-Lightly (what a misnomer) for over 5 years and I gag every time!
By christina_the_wench, August 19, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Here. Wipe your eyes, girl. It will get easier.
By AbsolutelyBananas, August 19, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
I am counting down the days until CJ starts school with nervous trepidation. I am so excited to have some time to myself. I am so sure that CJ will love school. And still I’m scared and nostalgic and weepy. Oh the joys of being a mom!
By GrimRealityGirl, August 22, 2008 @ 4:19 am
I’m glad he was okay. It gets easier…. but I admit, I am dreading the start of school as I realize that my baby will be in middle school. How did this happen? Time passes too quickly…. and a mother’s heart breaks often….
By L, August 22, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
That’s awesome that his first day of school went well. It is a little nerve wrecking and overwhelming looking at all the things you have to learn even at that level, I am sure he will do great. I mean when you have sketchers..how could you not?
By Raising Z, August 23, 2008 @ 1:50 am
What a cutie
I hope he enjoyed his first day! BTW I am so glad that you are feeling better and that you are cancer free!!!! I was praying real hard for you and your family and was so happy to hear that you are going to be just fine 
By Jill (CDJ), August 23, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Passing you a little love note
http://charmingdelightful.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-heart-me-you-really-heart-me.html
By munchkinsandmusic, August 23, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
It is so great that he cares so much about doing well! Sounds like a great kid!
By threeundertwo, August 24, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
You know it’s all going to be ok when they tell you to leave!
By Ashley, August 25, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
Kudos to you great mom for handling that so well. And what a handsome picture of Seth!