Matt starts at St. Michael's Nursery School on Tuesday. He had his 'orientation' of sorts this past Thursday. Mark, Matt and I met his teacher, some of the other students and their parents and explored his classroom. Matt... well, he's Matt. Which means that if Mark and I had left him there by himself he wouldn't have even noticed we were gone. He made a bee-line for the train table (of course) and then wandered around, introducing himself ("Hi! I'm Matthew! What's your name?") and having a grand old time. Makes Mark and I feel that much better about our decision to send him to preschool. He doesn't technically *have* to go, since I'm home, but he's such a social kid that I think it'll be really good for him. He didn't want to leave on Thursday when the hour was up and he can't wait to go back. It's just part-time.... three afternoons a week.
It'll be interesting to see how it goes, for sure. And it's definitely harder on me than it is on him. By far. I keep thinking about something I learned in my Child Development class in college... they say that the minute a child goes to school is the minute his parents stop being the biggest influence in his life. And in this day and age, that's scary as all hell. Doesn't matter that it's a great Catholic school with an outstanding reputation and curriculum... I know from personal experience that even the private schools come with their own set of bullies and pressures and it breaks my heart to even think about my sweet, sensitive, compassionate, empathic little man experiencing any kind of rejection, you know? I guess all I can do is give him the tools and the confidence and the love and hope that he makes it through the next 12+ years relatively unscathed.
So yeah, to end that little tangent, it was a bittersweet day on Thursday and will be even more so on Wednesday, the first day that I officially have to "let him go."
3 comments:
Dear World
(Dan Valentine)
My young son starts to school today...It's going to be sort of strange and new to him for awhile, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You see, up to now he's been king of the roost...He's been boss of the backyard...His mother has always been near to soothe his wounds and repair his feelings.
But now things are going to be different.
This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on the great adventure...It is and adventure that might take him across continents, across oceans...It's an adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow...To live his life in the world he will have to live in, will require faith and love and courage.
So, World, I wish you would sort of look after him...Take him by the hand and teach him things he will have to know.
But do it gently, if you can.
He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.
But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero...that for every crooked politician there is a great and dedicated leader...Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.
Steer him away from envy, if you can...and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
In school, World, teach him it is far more honorable to fail that to cheat...Teach him to have faith in his own idea, even if everyone says they are wrong...Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon...Teach him to listen to all men - but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take just the good that siphons through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he's sad...Teach him there is no shame in tears...Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success.
Treat him gently, World, if you can, but don't coddle him...Because only the test of fire makes fine steel...Let him have the courage to be impatient...Let him have the patience to be brave.
Let him be no other man's man...Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself.
Because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.
This is quite and order, World, but see what you can do...He's such a nice little fellow, my son!
If you are afraid of the bullies, just get Ry-Guy involved. He will kick the crap outta them all, hehehehe
Ok, ok, serious note, I can't believe that he is starting school *tear*. It def seems like just yesterday I was handing him back to you because he puked all over me, lol. But he'll do great and I'll make sure that Mark has the fridge full with wine so you can make it through the day, hehe.
Oh gosh Kell how in world am I going to send Reagan tomorrow after reading this?! I WILL continue to be the biggest influence in her life...won't I? No one will be mean to her...will they?
*sob*
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