The First Day of School

The day that your child is born, school is looming in the future at some point down the road. It is a right of passage for both the child and the mom. We kept pushing this day off for as long as we could. But time kept on going and the day finally arrived that I now have a kindergartner.

The process started in the spring when we had to register and Parker was tested to have some idea of where to place him in the classroom.


We attended orientation a few days before school where we got to meet the teacher, take a bus ride, tour the cafeteria and get a little information on how this all works.


We went shopping for a lunch box and I found a thermos for a good buy at Lands End. I showed Preston where the bus stop was so that if he woke up, he would know where to find me. We were ready, for the most part. I found myself calling neighbors to ask questions the night before that weren't covered in orientation.

The big day came and we documented it with pictures, the way my mother did. One in front of the door and one in front of the bus.
Parker started a new tradition with preschool, where he takes my picture.

This school stuff was new to me. We wait at a bus stop with other kids, where as when I did it, it was just the end of the driveway. Now there is someone to chat with and pass the time. Most of the other kids have their folks drive them, we walk. It is about 250 ft.

Yes Preston has a cooler with him. He insisted on packing it with toys and taking it to the bus stop. Of course I ended up carrying it back.


On the first day of school it is a tradition to have the parents walk to the kids to their classroom. I had planned on doing this. We walked down to the bus and took our pictures and he got on. At this point Preston starts crying, that is all it took to start my own tears. My little guy was going to kindergarten. He was no longer home with me for me to protect him from the world.

Preston and I went back to the house. I used the bathroom and then got in the car. Well on the way in I got stuck behind bus traffic and other school traffic. I started to panic. Would I miss him getting off the bus? He was expecting me to come, I didn't want to let him down. After what seemed to be forever I finally got to the school and went in. I did not see Parker's bus out front. I went down to his class room to check on him. He was already there. He barely even waved to me. I felt so sad and unneeded and that I had let him down. I started crying as we exited the school. I ended up sitting in my car and crying for awhile.

Later on I learned that a friend from preschool showed up and saw Parker waiting for me. They offered to take him to his class. After school Parker asked where I was and I told him I tried to be on time, but I got stuck in traffic. One day when we overslept and I was giving him a ride to school he noticed the traffic and remarked about it. I think he then understood why I wasn't there to greet him when he got off the bus at school. Next year I will know to park at the bus stop and leave immediately.

When I went to get him off the bus he was all smiles. It was a good day for Parker with his first day of school.

The next day Preston insisted on wearing a back pack and carrying a lunch box just like big brother to the bus stop.