It didn’t truly dawn on me until I made that call.
“Hi, um, I need to register my daughter for kindergarten this fall. What do I need to do?”
And just like that, the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. This is it. The final few months with my little girl before she enters the school world. Come September, she’ll be off in the care of her (trained, professional, loving) teachers.
She’ll be surrounded by new friends—some will be kind, while others might not be so nice—and for countless hours each week, I won’t be there to protect her from the not-so-great moments or to celebrate her achievements. She won’t be mine to care for anymore. She’ll be on her own.
The thought is enough to make my heart race. While being a stay-at-home mom isn’t exactly my favorite gig, I’ve grown used to being available whenever she needs me and having a decent handle on our daily routine. But with school fast approaching, it’s time for a whole new level of structure in our lives. I’ve enjoyed our free-spirited, spontaneous days, but those days are numbered.
Yet, there’s a part of me—my more laid-back side—that’s excited for this transition. My social butterfly of a daughter is eager for it too. Starting school is a significant milestone, and I know it’s where she’ll truly thrive. But until then…
We’re going to make the most of these last few months together. I want to relish every moment of freedom we have left—doing what we want, when we want—before the school routine takes over.
If she wants to lounge in her pajamas until noon, then that’s exactly what we’ll do. A mid-afternoon trip to see the latest animated movie? Count us in! Late-night snuggles because there’s no early morning agenda? Absolutely.
I understand that the world won’t come crashing down when she hops on that school bus for the first time, but this chapter of our lives is closing, and that’s a tough pill to swallow. I want to fully embrace her and treasure her presence.
I’m all in for playing dolls, hosting tea parties, and letting her revel in being a kid. This phase will not last forever, so I want her to savor every second—even if she thinks it will.
School has changed dramatically since I was a kid, and the academic pressures start younger than ever. So, until the days are filled with No. 2 pencils, binders, and permission slips, I want her to experience as much carefree joy as possible. And I want to share those fun moments with her.
My sweet girl, my firstborn, is growing up. I’m definitely not ready for it, and I’ll probably be an emotional wreck when that first day arrives. But until then, I’ve decided to embrace our laid-back lifestyle. I’m saying “yes” to her requests to play, “yes” to reading her a story, and “yes” to one more show after her brother drifts off to sleep and she curls up in my lap. It’s the least I can do because I know I will miss her daily presence immensely.
Starting school is the first step on a long journey towards her independence, and everything will change after this. While I still have her all to myself, I’m going to show her all the love I can, so when she walks through those school doors, she knows she’s cherished, strong, and capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. And at the end of the day, her mom will always be there for her.
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In summary, as my daughter approaches this significant milestone of starting kindergarten, I’m committed to savoring our last few carefree months together. I’ll make sure she feels loved and supported as she embarks on her new adventure, knowing that I’ll always be right here for her.