Kindergarten. Share Your Stories of the First Day

It'll be fine. I was a wreck last year when my little one started kindergarten. We dropped her off at school and (even though I tried hard not to) I cried a lot. Her teacher hugged me and said it would be okay. LOL Talk about embarrassing! Then I went home and counted the minutes until she came home, worrying the whole time. She came home so excited and happy and couldn't wait to go back the next day. It's going to be harder for you then it is for her.
My daughter's class read "The Kissing Hand" the first day and then they cut out tracings of their hands, glued a heart into the palm, and brought it home. So cute. We borrowed the book from the library- GREAT book! So sweet and perfect to calm nerves, as Christine said.
Good luck and remember tomorrow is the hardest. It gets easier after the first couple of days. Like someone else said- soon you'll wonder why you were worried!

Hi aria-

I just dropped off # 4 to college...**sigh**

HE is the one causing anxiety! lol (his other sibs were MORE than ready!!)

But, just as it was time for kindergarten years ago...It is his time to move along on his life's journey...

This is part of a poem I found years ago...maybe it will help you to know you have already taught so many of these things to your little one??

Best Luck!
Michele/cat

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

Take care...and BREATHE!!!

HUGS!!

The first day of school is always a bit traumatic for Moms especially kinder. I have had 6 first days of kinder and I always feel the same. A little sad a lonely. That's normal just remember what a great new adventure your kiddo is on and be positive. It'll be okay! By the way by the time #6 came I was running out of the school as fast as I could thinking YAY the house is mine!

You and me, we are in the same boat! I've been having funky dreams because of the same worry. Thanks for being honest about your feelings and sharing them. I'm sure there are many of us out there =)

Last year for KG, my husband, son and I dropped off Sis in her classroom. TOns of parents standing around taking pictures and our daughter says "Mom, Dad, you can go now!" and waves her hand in the kind of "shoooing" us out the door. I cried, only because I realized she is growing up.

I went to the "Boo Hoo KG Breakfast", cried with other moms who felt the same way.

She came home so excited and happy.

Hi there, I remember when my first daughter went to Kindergarten I was so sad. She was such a big girl on the first day of school and just sent me on my way. I remember driving home crying my eyes out and calling my mom crying. It was very hard for me. I was counting down the hours for her to come home. It seemed like forever. Then she did...she had the most amazing time and made several friends. She said she loved school and her teacher just not quite time because she has a fear of nap time from previous daycare center of getting bit and etc. So it was me over reactings and scared more than she was. She was more than ready. Tomorrow will be hard for you but she will be fine. Our babies must grow up sometime. Now my 2nd daughter is headed to Kindergarten. But for me graduation was tougher than the first day of school. Good luck and remember to have waterproof mascara on lol!

On paper you're ready but your head is getting the best of you. BEEN THERE!

"The Kissing Hand"--go GET it ASAP. They may read it the first day of school to calm their nerves.

It will be FINE and will be a FAINT memory soon.

In a month you'll wonder WHAT you were worried about?! LOL!

Good luck and take pictures!

We have a lovely kindergarten program at our elementary, and one of the cool things they do is have a few older moms who have been there come in during drop-off for the first few days. They are called "designated huggers", there in case a scared little one needs a little extra reassurance. The vast majority of the kids, even the ones who looked totally freaked when mom or dad is leaving, are absolutely fine 30 seconds later. It's exciting and cool and time flies by. There are a few (in a room of 60+ kids) who are more upset and need some cuddles, but it is ALWAYS made harder by the parents who show their kids how upset and nervous THEY are, and they can't leave without a big show of tears and reluctance. Just think of the message it sends when mom is upset (you should be scared, this is bad, I can't handle it) vs the mom who smiles and says "you're going to have a great day, I'll be so excited to see you later and hear all about your adventure". It will be an adventure, even if your DD is nervous and shy. And she'll do best if you can take some deep breaths and show her your most supportive and excited side. Don't make TOO big a deal of leaving, but spend a few minutes checking out the room with her (things or people you notice), maybe kiss her palm so she can put it in her pocket for later, and give her a sweet hug and tell her you just KNOW it's gonna be great. Because you will both be fine! Of course you can cry all you want as soon as you are out of ear shot :)