The first child. He paves the way for the rest. He breaks in to the heart of his mom and others, he makes a nest in there, and then the time comes when he leaves the nest for over 6 hours a day, 5 days a week and my heart seems to big for my chest and quite empty. This is how I have felt about the first week of school. I am glad he is out there - we both need it - but around lunchtime I have a phantom limb, I want him resting his head on my hip, asking for a popsicle. Caroline wants her big brother, Joey wants his favorite entertainment.
I have a lump in my throat right now, sad and happy and proud all at the same time. I love public school. I love most of what it has to offer. I wish it offered air conditioning in the classrooms, but alas, there is none. Eli has always been a friend maker. He doesn't even have to know your name, if you give a good vibe, count him in. In his class are two of his favorite buddies from last year, and a room full of new ones. School has a few of his favorite things: friends, recess, learning from someone other than his mother and new big kid cred. Eli loves to learn new things, his mind soaks it up. His teacher is new to our school, pretty new to teaching, has a great 1st grade teacher voice, wants to push them to do more, try harder and be kids. I couldn't be more thrilled.
I am having a hard time finding the balance. He gets home near 4, we should eat around 5:30, bed for Joey is early, I need E and Caroline in bed earlier than they are getting in. But I want him to have time to decompress, wiggle, smile wearily and get his homework done. So far it has been very unsettling. He reads really well, but not for me. I think that we come together at the hardest time of the day for each of us. By 4:45p I am close to throwing in the towel, I need to learn to keep my patience for him. He is tired, his brain is a little rattled (a full day of school for a 6 year old is tough!). He still wants his rock-star lifestyle of friends and fun, but I feel the need to set some rules and regulations. Please feel free to offer any advice of what works for you and what does not. No really, I need the help.
I am having a hard time finding the balance. He gets home near 4, we should eat around 5:30, bed for Joey is early, I need E and Caroline in bed earlier than they are getting in. But I want him to have time to decompress, wiggle, smile wearily and get his homework done. So far it has been very unsettling. He reads really well, but not for me. I think that we come together at the hardest time of the day for each of us. By 4:45p I am close to throwing in the towel, I need to learn to keep my patience for him. He is tired, his brain is a little rattled (a full day of school for a 6 year old is tough!). He still wants his rock-star lifestyle of friends and fun, but I feel the need to set some rules and regulations. Please feel free to offer any advice of what works for you and what does not. No really, I need the help.
I miss the boy, but this boy is destined for knowledge and goodness. He'll never purposely let anyone know just how bright he is. Not that he plays dumb. He is humble and kind. I worry that he will learn how to be cocky and mean at school, but hopefully he will learn that his humility and kindness is even more important. My dad has always loved E's face, he thinks it is fresh, beautiful and perfect. I agree and I hope his schoolmates are appreciating seeing it all day long.
