I have had 65 first days of school. This does not include preschool, college or my own first days of school. As the baby of my family entered her senior year, she remarked that this was going to be my last "first" day of school. Sigh..... Now I never cried when my kids had their first day of school. I saw other moms wiping back tears, and I was like......what? Does this make me a bad mom? Maybe. But I had whole quiver full of children left behind at home so.....
Summer is great! No schedule, no "have to do's" and no frenzied mornings! But when the first day of school arrives everyone is ready. The house feels too cramped, the pool is boring, and quite frankly we are all sick of each other and anxious for some fresh blood.
Sometimes the anticipation of something new, something fresh, with unlimited possibilities is so exciting! I learned to enjoy the adventure and excitement with my kids because as the year draws on, this in inevitably lost. So here is what I learned in my 65 first days of school.
- I learned my kids did not always get the teacher I thought was the best. But they got the one God thought was best for them.
- I learned kids can be mean and hurtful. So many times I wanted to march right down to that school and give that 3rd grader a piece of my mind! (oops, did I say that out loud) But it taught my kids about character. They learned compassion and empathy through those experiences.
- I learned kids deserve a childhood. If they wont fight for it I had to. It is my job as a parent, however mean it may seem at the time to my child, I have to preserve it. There is plenty of time for a job, a boyfriend or a girlfriend. I learned to let them spread their wings, experience all they could across the board. These are the things they will draw from later and they will learn many important life skills from.
- I learned when to step in, and when to let them fight their own battles. I learned that it is not about who wins, or who loses, but about the lessons learned. Life is an adventure and it is about learning and growing. This is THEIR journey.
- I learned that showing up to my kids events showed love. I learned that every first in their life was the most important thing to me. I wanted to be their biggest cheerleader.
- I learned that who your child hangs around with, will be reflected in their character. Some friends have made have such a deep connection with my children that they have followed them into adulthood from grade school. Be alert and aware of who your child is hanging out with.
- I learned that my children were a lamp into the world. By sending my children to public school, I believed that my children would be an example of Christ's love. I knew they would hit obstacles and be tested, but I also knew that Jesus was a light into the heart and soul of everyone he met. Protecting my children meant extinguishing their light.
- I learned that the days are long, but the years are short. Savor every moment of it.