She'll start Kindergarten on the 8th

[Circusgirl]

Five summers ago I brought home a two week old baby girl. I remember every outfit, every tiny sock and shoe, her first fair wearing her Gap pajamas size 0-3 months, filling those bottles, rocking to Under The Pink at 3 a.m., the smell of her hair after a shampoo, her tiny body glued to mine that first summer.
How could this happen? This is it...she will be a schoolgirl. She will ride the bus home and I will only know what she tells me. I struggled with so many stages and now this seems hardest of all. I wish I could go back-so many things I would do differently.
I don't know, but this seems really big to me.

[juice_cup]

My neice starts school too in two weeks and her mother and I were saying how we can't believe it either.

This will be a new adventure for all of us. :)

[terriblyvexed]

Those are awesome memories that you have. First she was a wee one and now she is riding the bus by herself - I can't imagine how time must fly.

You mention you would do some things differently, any advice you'd like to offer? My first baby will be born in October so I'm looking for some pointers. ;)

[angeles]

My son started two weeks ago. He loves it. He couldn't wait to get on the school bus for the first time. Now he's an old pro. And it feels weird being older than his teacher. It's her 2nd year as a teacher. But she seems nice enough. I actually have to go meet him at the bus stop here in a few. He's a big boy now, not a baby. So, I have babylust again. But I got to find a job first before thinking about having another.

xo, angeles

[Circusgirl]

If I had it to do over I would have held her more...not gotten so freaked out over things like sicknesses and potty training....or come down on her so hard for naughty toddler stuff. I'm sure you do get much better with a 2nd..you just have more perspective. You know everything is a stage and that it won't last. My 2nd is covered in fur and weighs about 18 pounds..that'll be it for me.

[St. Theresa]

Awww, big day indeed. <3

[JulieS911]

Awwwwww - they grow up so fast!

All I can say is that it is inevitable and all you can do is be there for her and put on a brave face! The hardest thing that I found was that you no longer know about everything that happens to them and feel so out of control - they have to fight their own little battles now.

Just reassure her and take everything at a pace that suits you - and enjoy hearing about all the amazing things she has done at school - enjoy!

[Circusgirl]

Ahhh! What a stressful day! Yesterday we met her teacher and had "orientation". Very good teacher and lovely classroom. I kept noticing how active she was, though compared to the other kids and I was getting edgy. At one point she was bouncing around on the circle time carpet and just sort of threw herself down and did a couple of rolls...eek! Whatever.
Then today I'm waiting for her to get off the bus and I don't see her-some kids say she got off somewhere else..I start to freak and the driver is just sitting there. Finally as my neighbor is getting ready to fly down the street, I climb on the bus and she's sitting in the middle between two kids totally flustered. So we made sure she knows the kids she gets off with now-I wish I had a freakin headache pill handy.

[grumpydawn]

Aw, Linda! Carys started kindergarten last week too. I was in a panic because I live literally 5 minutes down the road from the school and it took 1 1/2 hours for her to come home! I called the school 3 times and they kept reassuring me that none of the kids were dropped off at the wrong stop. Turns out some pyscho father got on the schoolbus (a big no-no) and started to cuss and threaten the driver! The police (State Troopers- we are too small a township for local police) came and an incident report had to be made. They scrambled to find a replacement driver while all this was taking place. All this witnessed by the kindergartners! The bus driver is a big bear of a guy named Sandy- Cays loves him!

She asked my hubby why she couldn't go to school 7 days a week- and when my hubby told her the teacher needed a break on the weekend, her reply was "Well, should could work Saturdays and take off on Sundays." I'm relieved she enjoys school.