To My Elder Child, My Only Son, and My (Soon to Be) Preschool Graduate,
Soon, you’ll be finished with preschool. I just can’t believe it.
That five-day hospital stay we had when you were born seemed to take an eternity. Now, over five years later, I can’t believe how much time has passed since then. When you are older you’ll understand how fast time flies.
How you have grown in just five years! From an infant, to a toddler, to a big brother and preschooler, we’ve been through many, way too short, stages. You may not remember it all, but I do. Don’t worry, though. Your early stages are well documented. As our first child, Dad and I took hundreds, maybe even a thousand pictures of you as a baby and a toddler. As your mother, I can tell you about almost each and every one.
When I was pregnant with you, I used to wonder about who you’d be after you were born. Now I still find myself wondering who you’ll be as an older child, a teenager, and even an adult. I am excited, but a little nervous too, about the unknown.
I worry about whether I’ve been the mom you need, and what I can do better. Do I hug you enough? Am I too firm with you or not firm enough? Do I give you and your sister the individual attention you both need? What other ways can I help you to become more independent as you grow? How can I provide the right amount of support in the process?
Oh, my preschool graduate, I’m struggling with all of this a bit. You’re only five years old and transitions are hard, especially for a sensitive child like you. Kindergarten is going to be a big transition for both of us, but I have to trust we’ll both get through it, no matter how frustrated we get with the situation or each other.
My journey with you has always been this maze, full of twists and turns. Together we hit roadblocks and have had to find other routes to the correct path. Other times, we have an easier time finding our way. Sending you off to kindergarten will be no different.
After two years in the same preschool setting with the same friends, you’re going to be navigating through uncharted territory. Many of your current preschool friends will be at other schools or in different classrooms. Expectations will be different, routines will be different, but you will, eventually, adapt.
Sometimes, I feel you’re almost too comfortable in the setting you’re in, that I haven’t challenged you enough to step outside your comfort zone. I can only hope that my seemingly last-minute attempts to do so before kindergarten are, in the end, more helpful than aggravating for the both of us.
No matter how disheartened or aggravated I get through the process, please know I am trying my best. I still have so much to learn about how to be your mom. However, you’ve done a good job teaching me a thing or two so far.
As you grow, I watch and learn from you every day. You are the most observant child I know. You’ve taught me that life is so much more interesting when you notice the little things.
I love and admire your creativity, imagination, and loving spirit. Watching you has given me so many creative ideas. I hope you’ll use these strengths in the future; they will get you far.
Even our negative experiences have made me a stronger person. As much as your shenanigans drive me crazy, I learn more about being patient all the time.
So, I will try to take this huge transition from preschool to kindergarten in stride. There will be times we will laugh and times we will cry. But I want you to know, there is no other little boy I’d rather take this journey with. Behind all my worries, there is hope. I can’t wait to see where this path takes us.
As you enter kindergarten, preschool graduate, I want you to know that you should never stop learning and noticing the little things. Keep loving, keep trying, keep dreaming, and believe in yourself, because I sure believe in you!
