Sunday, September 03, 2006
New Era
My name is Mieneke. I refer to my daughter as “Munchkin” too. Just like Overwhelmed’s previous guest blogger. She was also born in December 2003. Just a coincidence. I have been blogging for Munchkin for two years but have recently started my own. Feel free to drop by!

My little Munchkin is starting playschool on Monday. She will be three years old in December and this is the very first time she will be in the care of someone who is not related to her.
The idea of leaving her in the care of this lady (who we have checked out thoroughly, and who was completely adored by one of the cousins who was in her class last year) makes my heart race and my stomach tighten.

She is entering the big, wide world. On. Her. Own.
Thinking of her, with her little backpack and her navy and red school uniform, standing in a room full of kids she’s never seen before.…… With nobody there that she’s hasn’t known all her life. It’s the first big challenge that she will be facing on her own. One of many milestones she will be experiencing.
The twist with this one, however, is that this is the first one that I am nervous about.
Up until now, all milestones have been met with unbridled enthusiasm. Not a stomach knot in sight.
Rolling over? Delightful! Walking? Excellent! Spending the night for the first time at Nannie’s house? Fantastic! Potty Trained? Brilliant!

This one? This one is throwing me for a loop. On one side, there is the fact that Munchkin will be in a completely new environment. That I will need to rely on someone else to make sure she is treated fairly and is happy. That I can’t be there, to either praise or console her.

On the other side, I am so excited about the possibility of new friends for her. About all the new things that she will learn and experience. I can not wait to see the first bit of artwork she will bring home from school! To listen to the new songs she’s learned and stories about new friends she’s made.

I am very much aware of the fact that we are “ending an era.” It’s no longer just her and me, or her and Nannie. (Her Grandmother minds her three days a week while I am in work.)
From this Monday on, she will be going to school until she’s eighteen years old. A whole new part of her, and with that: my, life will start.
We have told her about it, and have taken her to go see her school. When we talk about it, she just kind of shrugs, no biggie. The idea must be very surreal to her.

I am expecting tears on Monday….. but don’t worry, I’ll be sure to hold them until I get back to the car…..

So, mamma’s out there, have your kids had their first days of school yet? Or are they about to have theirs? How was it? How do you feel about this new period in your child’s life? It would be lovely to read some of the experiences of others.



1:05 AM
10 comments


10 Comments:
At 3:08 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right, so over here, I posted this on Sunday Morning. According to blogger, it's still only Saturday over there! Sorry for the mix up!

 
At 7:26 AM, Blogger Michelle said...

My daughter just started preschool on Aug 17th so I understand these emotions! http://mdbeau.blogspot.com/2006/08/first-day-of-preschool.html

She did really great and is having a lot of fun (She goes 4 days a wk for 3 hrs). Unfortunately she has now started crying when I drop her off though...I guess the newness wore off and she figured out this was a regular thing! She's not liking being away from me in the morning...no other child cries though, just mine! It does make it hard on me to walk away, but as soon as they get in the classroom she stops crying, so I know she's not sobbing all morning! They always tell me what a good day she's had, and the fun things they've done...I know she enjoys it...I just wish she didn't cry in the morning!

Good luck on the first day, it is a bittersweet milestone!

 
At 2:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey! I know you from your site as well. Welcome, and glad to read about this. My baby isn't in school yet but that's because he is too young. So, anyway I am not looking forward to that either and expect tears the day my baby goes to school.

 
At 9:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

awww I can only imagine!! My baby will probably hit that milestone next fall :(

Hope all goes well!!

 
At 11:03 PM, Blogger Catch said...

My children are all grown....but I remember their first days of school. I felt just like you do...but they are like little birds flying out of the nest...some cry. some dont....but they all adjust....some just need a little more time. I had 3 and they all reacted differently to their first day of school. But I was always the same...with tears in my eyes! lol

 
At 8:11 AM, Blogger Pamela said...

I love that you express your feelings so well. It is like entering a new stage in your life and as you slowly adjust and experience all the new and exciting adventures little Munchkin does you will delight in her achievements and comfort her in her woes. You will alway be her anchor and her Mommy, the one she can count on. :) I always wanted to put a brick on my kids head cause I just loved every minute, but then I would have missed all the other beautiful stages. lol

 
At 10:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

@Michelle: Ow, tears? That must be really rough on you. I so hope she will stop that soon. Happy to hear though, that she does stop after you leave. At least she does end up having a good time! Fingers crossed for the speedy arrival of happy "bye bye Mommy!" waves and smiles for you!

@Kili, you get to enjoy your little man at home for a good bit to come! :) I promise to e-mail soon. Lots goin' on! (Will post on that tomorrow)

@Chelle, thanks for commenting! All went well, thankfully, she was all smiles!

@Catch, so you have been through this thrice? I think I would be emotional all three times too! I got all teared up when she was sitting there as happy as Larry. Cheerfully waving me off.
Tears were just on the cards I guess! No matter what way the morning was going to go! :)

@Pamela, thanks for the compliment! And for dropping by at mine. :) I love your expression of wanting to put a brick on their heads, that just sums the feeling up so perfectly! :)))

 
At 4:43 PM, Blogger Kelly Curtis said...

I hope the first day went well!

I love your photography here, by the way.

 
At 6:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My daughter started Kindergarten this year...a very huge change for us but a positive one!

 
At 6:32 AM, Blogger Ms. Kathleen said...

My youngest son started high school on the 30th. I cannot believe my "BABY" is in high school. I am so happy I have a little granddaughter around.

Also, my eldest son just left for school. I mean he just flew 1000's of miles away to NYC, to the BIG Apple to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. It was so wonderful having him around all summer.

I may go into a major state of depression or shock. I really don't think it has hit me yet.

I have cried. I just can't help it. It is almost too much to bear.

 

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It wasn't supposed to work this way...Parts 1 through 10

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Family Foster Home Licensing Prep Checklist
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