Okay, I know this is ridiculous but every time I think of Landan starting school I have a panic attack. He is going to start school in 3 days! At first I thought it was just because he got so big so fast. I mean he was just my sweet little boy and now he's a big kid that goes to a big school with homework and everything. When did that happen?
Then I thought maybe it was because he was going to be in someone elses care for a whole day and I didn't like that. But he's been at daycare for longer than he'll ever be at school so I didn't think that was it.
Then I realized the real problem. I don't want to send Landan on a bus. I am terrified of putting him on a bus with bigger kids. What if he doesn't know which classroom to go to. What if he gets off at the wrong stop and goes wandering alone in some neighborhood. What if he doesn't get on the bus at all and tries to "walk" home (there are no sidewalks to our neighborhood). What if he forgets to get off and ends up left on the bus. There are just so many things that could go wrong and I don't have control over any of them.
I know...I know. Kids have been doing this for a hundred years and most of the time everything is fine. But I just can't help myself. In my head I know I'm being ridiculous but I feel like crying every time I think about it. I already told Kevin that aside from giving Landan a father blessing before he goes to school, he needs to give me one so I can let him go. Is this normal or am I just a freak. Will someone please convince me it's going to be okay.
3 comments:
I felt the same way about the bus, that is why I picked up Connor for the first half of the year. But when i had chase I couldn't do it anymore so we signed him up for the bus-- and he LOVED it. And guess what else... he survived! They have teachers who walk kids to the bus and make sure they get on the correct one. They also have teacher who help direct kids to their class once they are off the bus so they don't get lost. Maybe you/Kevin could walk him to class each morning for the first week until you are confident he knows his way to class (just in case).
As far as getting off the bus, that is a harder one. Our bus stops directly in front of my house so I went out to greet Connor each time. On days off maybe you could wait at the bus stop for him until you are sure he knows when to get off. Also, when he goes to Robyn's you will Nick and Ajia to help remind him when to get off and they will help look after him as well.
It is a big step and it the uncertainties are nerve racking, but in the end it always seems to turn out okay. You have one amazing boy and I know he will do great! (You are a great mom and I think you'll do great too).
As a kindergarten teacher, your feelings are very normal and something most parents deal with. Including myself when I sent Kenny to school last year. If it gives you any comfort, kindergartners are guarded like a hawk and never allowed to walk anywhere or do anything with an entourage of teachers for the first few weeks. As soon as he gets off the bus in the morning he will be greeted and taken directed to the right class. There are teachers and aides EVERYWHERE!
The bus thing is scary, but I'm sure his school has strict guidelines in place to assure each student gets home on the correct bus. I am the Kinder teacher in charge of bus duty and it is a big job, but I haven't lost one yet. Most bus drivers make the little ones sit up front next to him/her. And frequently, at least for the first little while, a kindergartner is not allowed off a bus unless someone is there to meet them. They will not just leave a little kid on a street corner somewhere and hope it was the correct corner. They take the kid back to the school and the parents are called. BTW, Kenny absolutely loved riding the bus. It was his favorite thing to do and Nathan is green with envy and cannot wait till he can ride a bus.
I can definitely understand this fear. I would be feeling the same way. I get freaked out just thinking about sending Elizabeth to kindergarten and she's got another year left.
I never rode the bus as a kid--it's not very common here. I think that's part of the reason the idea scares me.
Still, I am sure Landan will do great. It's just always so hard at first with milestones like these.
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