Today, it happened. I got the phone call. The dreaded, highly anticipated call. Monkey's first afternoon of Kindergarten is in two weeks. On Thursday the 27th of January at 1:15, my little baby becomes a big boy.Don't get me wrong, I think he is more than ready for it and will thrive on the extra stimulation and being able to do carpentry and play in a sandpit whenever he wants to is what he needs.
There will be so many new opportunities for him to learn things and experience things. He will be joined by two of his friends from Coffee Group, Miss Amerikiwi and Master Neo... They will thrive and it is the next step on for him, them.
And it is at this point that I choke up. Tears fill my eyes and I become "that" mother.
**Ramble Alert**
What if the other children are mean to him? What if they use language that we don't approve of? What if they hurt him? What if he hurts them? What if the teachers don't foster his love of knowledge in the way I would? What if they don't like him? What if they don't have the time to explain things to him? What if he misses me? What if he doesn't? What will I do for that two hour period of time without him? How will I know what he's up to? How will I know that he is behaving the way we expect him too? What if he learns things that we have to then unteach? What if his learning needs are not met? What if not having an afternoon nap turns him into an tantrum-prone horror? What if, what if, what if?I have been a teacher for 10 years. I have experienced "the system", teachers and children in three countries. I have considered Montessori, Steiner, home-schooling, un-schooling and main-stream. I have made the decisions (with Stud1, obviously) and I am scared.
Thanks for stopping by - Chris at Whirling Rainbow is lovely! Do ring her & book in.
ReplyDeleteJust remember your child doesn't have to be in a school until age 6 - but hay I am a home schooling mum.
Our dd went to kindy - she loved it - her first day she said to me - you can go now mummy! I wasn't wanted - oh I cried all the way home. But soo nice she was settled.
Love Leanne
When I opened this post and saw the picture of Monkey as a baby I think I dropped an egg. You can probably hear me clucking from there.
ReplyDeleteRe kindy, can you go with him the first few times? Pop in unexpectedly? Just not send him? I totally understand all your fears!
Oh... It was clucking I heard all day :) He was a very darling little baby. (That is one of the few photos where he is asleep :P)
ReplyDeleteAs for Kindy - I am going with him for at least the first 3 or 4 to see if it is a "fit" for him. I think I will also become quite involved in activities there (the teacher in me will not die! And once he's going full-time (egads!) I will DEFINITELY be popping in.
Like you, I think I am going to be quite demanding of any place I send him. My theory is that it is my role as his mother to demand the best for him... No-one else will!
Cx
Oh....oh oh. I love how you called my wee man NEO very clever. I am sorry that he won't be joining Monkey now. It was very hard to decide what to do! I didn't think it would be SUCH a big decision haha! I hope Monkey (and miss Americakiwi...although she could be Miss Neo) thrive at the Kindy! Im hoping Monti is the right choice for Neo too. AHHHGHH
ReplyDeleteLol - I wanted to use cool names and I thought Neo was fitting! But Miss and Master Neo was a bit much and then I thought about keeping it all matrix and then it got too hard as I already know a Trinity :D I think Neo will be great at Monti - I was keen (as you know) but got a better feel at TPK - I am all about gut feelings :D
ReplyDeleteCatch you in the week! I need Little Neo cuddles!