Kindergarten Jitters

On Friday I took my 4 1/2 year son to kindergarten. It was tough! My husband and I had been telling him that he was going to start school soon and we were diligently mentally preparing him for the occasion – so he knew that it was the day.

Boy did he know! As soon as he woke up he refused to get dressed. He did not want me to put on his shirt, his pants, his socks, nothing! He refused very vocally, running around the living room, screaming and crying for at least 15 minutes. After much cajoling, he finally succumbed to my pleas and let me dress him.  By that time I was already exhausted and he was sweaty, it was only 8:15 in the morning! Going down the stairs was a wrestling match. He fought tooth and nail and almost knocked down his daddy. Again, the screams and pleas, ” No, school!!!” he screamed.

I was a bit taken back by this scenario. our little Michael had been in pre-school for 2 years know and I honestly thought that he would be a pro at this now. I thought he was used to the mob of kids who were his peers and the authoritative figure of the teachers. Perhaps the comfort of home and the memories of all the fun activities he participated in during the summer months took a hold on him yesterday. He somehow instinctively knew that he was in for a whole new ball game. Kindergarten. This is when the real school work starts. During this year he will get homework and will have to work in school most of the day, learning how to read, write and possibly some math.  The days of all fun and games is done. Now the real work begins. My little baby is growing up.