Hi moms, I remember how hard it was sending my little girl to kindergarten, how worried I was. Well, now I just sent her off to middle school (6th grade) and I'm so surprised at how hard this hit me. My poor husband had no idea what to do with me yesterday, I started crying every time he called me. I really didn't see this coming. Of course I worry about her getting picked on by the bigger kids and making new friends, but it's SO much different- having a locker and having a different classroom for each subject. I worry that she won't be able to keep up or figure out how to stay organized. And because I'm not there, I don't know how much help I can be. How do I tell her how to know what to bring home each day? Plus, the teachers are wanting the kids to learn to be more independent. Maybe this is part of it, I feel like I'm sending her off to this big, scary place, and I can't even help her. Were any of you caught off guard at how hard it was to feel like you had a little kid one day, and then it was suddenly ripped from you? I feel so unbelievably sad right now, I just don't even know what to do with myself. Please tell me I'm not a- alone, and b- crazy! Thanks for the support, mamas.
You are a) not alone and b) not crazy.
These feelings are very normal. It's another step she has to take and you too.
One day they are in diapers and the next they are graduating.
She will navigate this fine. Give her the support she needs but let her be independent. They will teach her the ropes of the school.
She has 7 years left M.. Her senior year will be a killer too. I'm living that now. ((((HUGS)))))
I've never been sad...
I just sent my oldest to college at a military college. I was not sad when I sent him to kindergarten -- he was ready. I kicked my heels once the bus was out of sight... I was not sad when he went off to elementary or middle school -- he was ready. I was happy when he went off to high school -- he was ready. I kicked my heels as he drove down the driveway.
We dropped him off on Saturday. I am so proud of him as he starts this new chapter in his life. It's not about me -- it's all about him. He is ready. I saw the joy in his eyes as he waited with his Company to march out of the arena. Do I wonder what he is doing? Sure. Do I wish he could phone home every night and tell me about his day? Sure. Do I know that he is safe and having the time of his life? Absolutely.
So no -- I'm not sad.
It's all about attitude -- it's about how you look at each stage.
Don't be sad -- it's time...
LBC
You are definitely not alone or crazy. My little girl went to 7th this year I cried last year too( actually I teared up a lil remembering it while reading your post lol). Right now I am going crazy waiting on her to text me to tell me whether or not she made the volleyball team! It just goes so fast!
I haven't had to send my DD off to school yet, but when I taught 6th grade for five years the first few weeks were hard for the kids, but they eventually loved it. I usually had them write a compare and contrast paper about 5th grade elementary vs. 6th grade middle school and hands-down the kids loved middle school over elementary. No walking in a straight line down the halls, several lunch choices, sitting where you want at lunch, lockers, changing classes, not with the same teacher all day-- they eventually realized the wonderful freedom that they had. Give her some time and try to stay positive about it so that she'll be positive. I can't guarantee that she'll love it more, but the odds are in favor of it.
You are not alone!! I'm guessing it will NEVER go away! I have tears in my eyes just reading your question!! My daughter is starting 1st grade in 2 weeks and I am feeling emotional about that, I am sure I will be a disaster come middle and high school!
They need to STOP growing! ;)
Ummm, my 17 year old started as a senior today. Guess who has tears in her eyes typing this?
not alone! My baby girl just turned 16 on the 21st and started 11th grade the 22nd. I cried all day on Monday LOL
It's so funny you mentioned it, because middle school hit me very hard with my older son.
At his private Catholic school, it runs PK - 8th grade. But they go "upstairs" in 5th grade. I remember taking him that day and crying before I got into the car, and then the entire way home (boy did I feel silly). It was just weird to see him with so many "big" kids.
9th grade (high school) was a tear-jerker too.
He homeschools now, and will graduate this year. Talk about really shocking. I'm about to have an adult child in the spring. Wasn't he just born?
Hang in there mama.
LOL. Last year for 6th grade middle school for my daughter was a tad bit scary. Just moved, new area, new school district, new school and middle school at that! And even though we had already spent a couple days going over her schedule and the routes that would be easy for her to take, I still had to walk her to her first class for a few days. She's also easily one of the smallest kids on campus - even this year! For example, the size small gym clothes were really really baggy on her - easily two sizes too big! She's grown into them a little bit for 7th grade this year, but they are still a bit big.
Planner is a must have - with enough space to write. Post it notes with lines were a bonus for when the planner didn't have enough space.
The nice thing is that all the staff at the school totally expect new middle school students to get lost, be late or worse - ending up in the wrong class or the right class but the wrong time!
This year (7th) its not so bad. She knows what to expect this year and knows the campus now too!
I wrote almost the exact same post about two weeks ago regarding sending my baby to Kindergarten. You are not alone, it's been about two weeks since I posted and I received some really supportive and encouraging words that I was thankful for but I am so sad. It's like this dark cloud that follows me and has the day draws closer to school starting I feel myself getting sadder and sadder. What helps me through it is how excited my baby girl is to start kindergarten, is your daughter excited? if not try to get her excited about it, it might help boost your spirit's. I have decided to something really special with my baby on her first day so that insteading of dreading the day I have something to look forward to. After school we are going to a pottery store and making a piece of pottery together to remember her first day of kindergarten. Try not to fall apart in front of her you don't want her to be anxious. Breath slowly and tell yourself over and over that she will be fine and this too shall pass, hope this helps.
I posted because I was so sad dropping my 15 yr old baby off at high school this yr. I bawled when I took him to kinder (he asked me to leave so he could learn) :( but junior high didn't bother me. Next year when I have to take my baby to kinder, the girl I've never been away from since I gave birth, I will need a tranquilizer!
I feel you on this one. My oldest just started he junior year. Not sure why it is bothering me so much, but it is. I just keep thinking, "I can't believe she only has 2yrs of school left". It seems like she was just in kindergarten. It seems like once they start school times goes twice as fast. I'm sure things will get easier and I'm sure it's much harder on you than it is for her. She will be fine.
You are not alone. Some things never get easier. I have been an emotional mess lately. My four children are all adults, the youngest is 21. And he's getting married next month. Each stage has it's difficulties. The emotions come into play when we as mother's feel that we're not the most important thing in our children's lives any longer or that we can't be a part of every moment in our child's day. And we miss that. And it does feel like your heart has been ripped out. I've learned that these stages are stepping stones in their life and in ours. Growth doesn't come without growing pains. Just do your best to enjoy each stage, be the best mother you can be without smothering your child. Talk to them about what's important to them while they're young so that when they get to be teenagers or older, they will still share with you what's important to them.
I love LBC's comments. It is great to be proud of your child, to know they are ready for the next step and in turn be prepared enough that you are ready for their next step too so that you can rejoice with them and move on happily with your own life. I just need to figure out how to do that. We are entering the 'empty nest' stage of our life. And it's a little scary. But I know this is just another step in life and I need to choose to be happy for my children and for myself.
Good luck with your children. Enjoy them while they're still in your home. Rejoice in their accomplishments. Develop traditions. Those years pass so quickly. Build a strong family so that they will want to come home and spend time with you when that time comes. Just be sure not to get so caught up in how much you miss them while they're at school that you are unable to function without them by your side. There's nothing wrong with you enjoying a little time for you while the little ones are at school learning. Take a nap, read a book, take up a new hobby or whatever else brings you inner peace and joy. And remember to Smile :)
