The Practical Exam

I feel like Grade 1 is a test.  A test that we have been prepping for over the last 5 years.  Suddenly, Ty has escaped my clutches and now spends the vast majority of his day apart from his parents, in school instead.  He spends 1 hour at a before school home care setting, but I have little to no idea what goes on there.  I don't really know what he does for that hour, only that he would rather eat at home than at her house.  I'm puzzled about this one....but glad that I can still control what gets into his little body before he starts his day.  He walks with a group to school that I can't supervise.  I can only hope that the million times we told him to look both ways and follow closely to the leader has paid off.  I hope he'll remember his jacket each day and I hope that his backpack isn't too heavy for him.  Will he run into the road, chasing someone?  Will he keep up?  It's let-go time and grade 1 pushes that envelope.  Suddenly his lunch choices, while packed by me, are up to him.  No one is there to ensure that the cucumbers get eaten first and that the granola bar is saved for "dessert".  I know we have talked endlessly about food choices this year, the idea of putting good "fuel" in  your body.  I think he hears blah, blah, blah.  But really, it's the first time that there hasn't been an adult there to remind him to finish the milk and throw away his garbage.  Has he learnt enough in the years we prepped him.  It's an all-day everyday test to see if we parented wisely, setting the groundwork for his success.  Does he include others at recess, is he a leader, a follower?  Does he make good choices about the rights and wrongs of playground etiquette?  I can no longer guide his friendship choices or intercept when I see unfair play.  It's tough to sit on the sidelines and see it unfold.  I like to be in the mix but suddenly, I have to rely on coaching from the sidelines.  I've been waiting for this independence to come and yet, I wuish with all my might that I could keep him in my clutches just a little longer.

Comments

[audrey]

Mollie...I know exactly how you feel. My oldest daughter is in grade one and my youngest daughter is in all-day kindergarten. It's hard, I know.

[The Mommas]

at some point, you have to have faith. and keep reminding yourself on a daily basis - he'll be ok. i think he has a guardian angel watching over him.

xo
b

[Luci]

I can't even imagine it right now. Mannn, they grow up so fast!!!