Frith O’Steen

My son just turned six, and he is starting Kindergarten tomorrow. Now, he’s been in preschool for the last 3 years, so this next step shouldn’t feel like a big deal. But come on, it really IS a Big Deal. My little guy - now a ‘big kid’ officially - is  entering a much bigger place than he ever has before. Kindergarten involves more kids, more things to learn, more social obstacle courses to work through. Cafeterias, playgrounds, seatwork…I am thrilled to my toes for him about all the exciting new things he has in store for him. But he will also now encounter more of the real world. He is no longer under my sphere of influence alone - nor should he be. He gets to take the next step in becoming his own person, finding out what about school is the most exciting for him (and the most challenging for him). He will learn that most people are nice, but a few are not. He will learn that some of school is fun, but some is hard. He will hear new things every day, some of which I probably will wish he hadn’t. This is growing up, and while I wouldn’t stop it, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t seem to happening quicker than I would wish. I am so proud of the kid my son is becoming, a confident and curious boy, with a good heart and a kind soul, strong and smart and funny. But I am also very grateful that this same boy will still cuddle with his mom for a story at night (though the stories are now chapters from ‘big kid books’) - it helps to know that I still have that, at least for now. It makes it easier to let him take this next step - he may be growing up, but he will still need me for a while. That is what I’ll keep in mind when I drop him off tomorrow and return to my car for a very good cry.