Summer is quickly coming to a close in my household and things have already taken motion for getting “back to school” ready. We have soaked up every minute and yet those minutes have flown by seeming like not quite enough. I look forward to the ending of May each year looking forward to the two months ahead to spend with my family and pause. My Mom thoughts have came back full swing this past week while getting school items ready.
This year I totally checked out with my work and took the time for us. Don’t get me wrong I still get everything done that is needed but I have enjoyed not being connected full time. The past school year was by far not our best. To be honest I have dreaded the day that is coming to go back and my son start Kindergarten. If you are a Mom you will understand the feelings and thoughts that come along with this blog post, because although your journey was or will not be the same it is still a trying time.
OUR PRe-K Journey
So I will catch you up quickly on how our Pre-K year went. We started at the age of 3 (my boy is a September baby) so for starters we were super young. We began with all the sickness that school brings at about mid October, and sickness well that was a part of every week making it only 12 days straight during the year not being sick. We missed 52 days of school. Hand Foot and Mouth not once but twice. Flu A, 4 double ear infections, strep and stomach virus. It was a lovely year….not!
During this time my Dad had lost his ability to walk totally and was bed bound. My son looked at him like his very best friend in this world, honestly he probably was. While our year started with serious separation issues this only exacerbated the situation. Friends keep in mind that nobody will care about you or your child’s situation more than you, nor will they care of understand sometimes. You do what works for you and your family, I wish I would take my own advice sometimes. Speak up and know that your role as Mom is not to be taken lightly.
REALITY CHECK
We lost my Dad in December 2023 right before our Christmas Break at school. To this point I had tried to normalize every aspect of our home life without him for my son. This was no easy process and I honestly wish this on no one person ever. So of course after Christmas Break things were definitely worse for separation because he thought every time I left him I wouldn’t be back. Now, at 4 no child should worry about these things but they do and it happens. I won’t go into detail on the million things that could have been done better or shouldn’t have been done at all but I promise my child having issues leaving me is not a problem, I am his safehouse and in no way, form or fashion will I ever apologize.
MOM THOUGHTS-REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
So let me say if your child has not started school and may happen to be an only child you know you expect separation problems. Let’s be real here if you are the Mom that they need, this should be normal. I also know if siblings are in the house this seems to be less of an issue but again not guaranteed. So Mom’s please prepare yourself for any and all situations that may come, they can’t be stopped.
Watch your child, they will tell you how they are feeling by body language. These past two months my son has been his little normal fun happy self with moments where we realize we have suffered a big loss with losing his Papaw. During our school year it was a struggle each and every day and I will not tell you that our year ever got better because to be honest it only got worse.
My random MOM THOUGHTS
Was he too young? Maybe. Do we expect too much of our children at this age? Probably. I have said a million times that children need to be just that. My boy loves to be outside and to have started such routines at this age well I can’t tell you that I am glad we did. Preschool should be an option but if you have the opportunity to let your child be little a bit longer, I would highly suggest it. Will they learn to read and write first? Will they be on the same level as the other kids? Will they be the smartest?
The real answer is “It doesn’t matter.” Your children will be exactly who they are no matter what we choose. I don’t think we fail them as parents because we love them being little and we love their imagination and having them at home. Had circumstances been different, well mine would have stayed home an extra year. The stress within my kid all school year was evident. The constant worry of really everything was a little hard for me. Having to watch him and then make him go at the same time I’m sure created an ulcer by the end of the year for both of us.
MOMMAS STRUGGLING WITH WHAT TO DO for PRE-K
Mom you know what to do, you may second guess yourself but you will know that right thing to do. If you are in my situation and you have to send your little one then it is what it is and it’s okay. You will be given the patience, forgiveness and love for every single step of your journey. I know I sure had rough days but you know in the end it makes you stronger. So Momma you do what you have to do, and do it with every bit of confidence in yourself.
Children thankfully are so resilient. God made them this way for a reason. He also gave you your children for a reason, and that is because you are what they need. So if you are beginning this journey and you are struggling-don’t! It will be okay. You will both find your way. While it may be hard along the way, it’s going to be okay. Mom thought for the year should be, you can do this!
If you choose-Glide into it with assurance and ease
So to close out this little blog post, make your year as easy for you as you try to make it for your child. We are going to make mistakes and honestly we can’t always be sure it’s the right choice but what we do know is we aren’t alone in this journey. Your child will have 20 some other children in class with them and it will not be the same for any of them.
Listen to those Mom thoughts, make those Mom friends, enjoy your child’s toddler journey because we will know them as an adult a lot longer than we will know them as a child. Make the most of everyday, even those bad ones. Even when you don’t necessarily agree with choices and decisions live it up with your child! Pre-K will pass and it will be on to bigger things. As far as better, well I’ll let you know about that next trip around the school year. Kindergarten here we come!
My Mom Thoughts: Life is short, family is the most important and everyday is a blessing. Hold on to these moments. Smile with them, cry with them and most importantly laugh with them. My little sunshine is my life. We may love his Daddy a little bit too, when you have a beautiful life appreciate it. It’s not something we make happen, it’s something we are given.
If you want a few items to get yourself ready I’ll add a few for convenience. Keep in mind these are affiliate links and no absolutely no extra cost to order from them and it helps keep my blog running! Thanks to all you Mommas!
ITEMS YOu MAY APPRECIATE MOM
Moms you will have extra time on your hands now, make it useful and work on this journal for your child when they are older. They will want to know your story!
Bible Promises for Moms:
