I was tweeting with @mommyofamonster and @projectalicia today about our young children starting preschool and older children going back to school and mommy time and our kids in general and how fast they grow up and then I read Four Plus An Angel’s beautiful post, As You Begin School and as the day wore on I started to feel melancholy and uncertain and really missing my son.
Melancholy because noon could not come soon enough. Three hours a part was three hours too many today. I relished my “me time” and although I was able to get a lot accomplished without Lucas in tow, my thoughts and heart were with him.
Uncertain because Lucas is only two years old and on Day 14 of preschool and I feel as though his father and I keep reminding ourselves why he is there; it’s good for him socially and his vocabulary and retention are vast.
So far, he’s doing great! Drop offs and goodbyes are getting easier (on both of us) and the art projects he proudly hands me at the end of his school day adorn our refrigerator with love.
Part of me is over the moon excited for him to expand his horizons and grow and learn, while the other part is completely torn up inside and worried that I’m losing my baby too soon.
It’s bittersweet, but I know the latter is inevitable.
Backpack as big as he is in one hand and a lovey in the other.
Could this kid be any cuter?
At Lucas' school, they help potty train. How awesome is that?!
These are special days and fleeting and let’s face it, there are only so many firsts we all have.
I hope your babies children have a great semester!
This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, 3.) First day of school pictures…let’s have ’em!
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That is one big backpack!!
I also wrote about preschool…and think that it’s interesting we both used the word “bittersweet” to describe it. And that we both mentioned we hope that it gets easier for both us and the kids 🙂
Great minds, right?!
Great minds, indeed. We will get through this kid think together, friend.
He is so adorable with that backpack and lovey!
The first days are bittersweet. It breaks my heart but I also love to see them grow on their own.
Thank you! I’m in love… 🙂
Yes, you’ll be losing your baby BUT you will be getting a little boy, then a young man! My son is 35 & have felt sadness as each phase moves on. I cry every time I say goodbye to him, even now but I am so proud of him. Don’t worry about the changes. They are real fun!
So what you’re saying is, this feeling never goes away? Sigh…
My son is the same age, so I could really identify with your post. It is so hard to be away from them, but my little guy amazes me with what he learns during the day! Thanks for sharing, and Lucas is adorable!
Thank you! I agree, witnessing the progress is amazing. I’m so proud of my little guy.
Those piccies and this post made my stomach knot up inside. My eldest is two as well and goes to kindy 3 days a week – his backpack is also nearly as big as him. Thanks for sharing such gorgeous piccies and your mixed feelings about kindy – you are SO not alone.
Nicole x
Thank you for saying so. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
So hard, mama. I sent my oldest two off to preschool at 2 1/2. I’ve decided to keep Astrid home until she is 4 and just send her for one year before kindy. I never thought I would say that as I loved my ‘me’ time before…but now with my third and last I feel like I don’t want to miss a moment.
Thanks, Tracy. I’ll probably do the same should we have another child, but for now, this minute, I’m okay.
This is sob -n- sniffle lovely, friend!
And that backpack and lovie picture- oh my!
XO
Thanks, Galit. And between the backpack and the lovey: my little boy. 🙂
Aw, Tonya. He’s so big, yet so small. They grow so quickly don’t they? Love the picture, he’s adorable.
Thanks, Alison, he is my heart and soul.
You clearly express your torn emotions about missing your son while he is at school and being excited for him. It’s been a long time since I was in your shoes (my children are almost 7 and 11), but I’m sure many people have told you, it does get better.
This is my first time to your blog, and I find it to be very sweet and engaging. It’s funny, in some ways, your title reminds me of my own: A Book For My Daughter
I’ll be following you from now on. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words.
Very cool that we have similar titles. I’ll be sure to follow you back.
He is so adorable! Bittersweet for sure.
Sigh…
He is adorable!!! Such a little man. We are also getting back in the swing of things with school. So sad summer is over. Stopped by from Writer’s Workshop.
Thanks for visiting. Here’s to a fabulous Fall!
Oh, I love this. I love the backpack in one hand and his lovey in the other. He looks like such a little man. It is so bittersweet.
Thanks. I’m in love… 🙂
Oh my gosh, he is so sweet and so big! I think that what you are doing is perfect if it is the right decision for your family.
Thank you for saying so.
I really loved your post yesterday, thanks for the inspiration.
Today is Abby’s first day – second time around in the 2 year old room because of her birthday. Same thing… backpack in one hand, but lovey with her, too. Big smiles for the camera this morning, but not a happy girl when I left.
Just think about how great those bear hugs are when you walk into the room to get him at the end of the three hours. Wonderful!
I cherish those hugs and there’s nothing wrong with a lovey… just in case. 🙂
Oh he is just so adorable!! You are a very strong mama. I had a hard time letting my kids go to school at 3. Don’t know if I could have done it at 2. But he looks so ready and happy to be going. Great job mama!
My son just started preschool. I love that he is getting to learn from other people and I get a little time, but I sure do miss him.
I get a lot done in three hours, but I’m always ready to pick him up.
Sigh….I see Lucas standing there, but I am implanting the face of my son when he was little.
The same son who is, as I write this comment, in his room packing boxes for college. No lovies.
I totally get this, Tonya. There have been many, many times I just wanted to keep my kids to myself.
No lovies in college? Hmmm, what’s up with that?
You are not alone. Its Jacksons 2nd day and I am anxiously watching the clock waiting til I can go get him. This is hard. We want to do what is best for our little guys.
It is really hard, but they make it easier with their wit, wisdom, humor and all the other lessons they teach us.
I hope the first day went well for both of you!
Lucas is such a cutie pie!!! I know it’s so hard.. but trust me it will get easier but the sad part comes as they get older and no longer kiss you at the bus stop or wave from the window of the bus. Ahh it just all makes me sad…. kids growing up!
Thank you for saying so. I think that’s what I needed to hear the most… “it gets easier”.
Aw, he is such a beautiful child. But too little for preschool. At least judging by the size of that backpack. 😉
How is it that they’re starting school already?! Connor starts next week. Eep!
It’s crazy, isn’t?! Just crazy. Can’t wait to hear how Connor does. And you too. 🙂
I’m sure I will feel the same way in a year or two when my youngest goes to preschool. When my oldest was in preschool it was different because I was working full time and I had no choice but to send her. With my youngest though, totally different since I’m at home.
On the hand, preschool does equal more mommy time. Just saying. 🙂
I’m telling you that boy should be in every commercial out there in need of a cutie pie! He is adorable! And with that backpack?! It really is almost as big as him. Too cute. Sounds like your school year is off to a smooth start all the way around. Just think of all the great stories he will be telling you about his new friends. Enjoy these days! I stopped by from MamaKat’s workshop and am a relatively new blogger. I do hope you’ll drop by! Thanks!
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words. He is a cutie and I’m doing my best to enjoy every moment to its fullest.
Aww. Love this post. Well said, friend. It IS bittersweet, but necessary all the same. And you are both better for it. Love that first shot of that giant backpack. Sighhh…
Isn’t the backpack hilarious? I was so lucky to get these shots, Lucas is very anti-camera right now.
Thanks for the inspiration, Alicia.
He is so adorably cute! And they grow up so fast, it’s hard to let go, even for just a few hours!
My 4 year old asks to go to school on the weekends…you think he’s trying to tell me he doesn’t like spending time with me? =)
Thanks, Erin.
Your son asks to go to school? That’s awesome. But I can see why you’d have feelings hurt too.
I really know how you feel, except I still have lots of little ones at home. I was really torn up about sending mine to kindergarten and the back and forth of feelings and how it is good for them…and inevitable.
Oh, and the good byes are hard. I always remember a daycare saying once, “The shorter the good bye, the shorter the cry.” It’s true.
I can’t even say “goodbye” or he gets upset, so it’s “see ya later”. It seems to be working… sigh!
It really is so good for him to be in school. As of course you know, there are sooo many things that he can get from being in that environment that he just won’t get from staying each and every day with you. Wonder when he is going to get her first actual crush…besides Daisy Duck and Abby! : )
OMG, stop it! No crushes. Not for a few years anyway.
Now I need to go read Jessica’s post. As it seems this school week, I wasn’t able to get much “me” time in and I’m trying to catch up now! (Though you did manage to suck me into Pinterest, I may need to superglue a keyboard to my hands now.)
It all goes so fast. I just can’t believe my youngest is 4 and should (I may keep him home another year. For him, not me!) be starting Kindy next year. Lucas, on the other hand may be in the 3rd grade before he grows into that backpack.
Awww, he’s adorable! Stopping by from Mama Kat’s. The days of preschool are something for me to look forward to and I’m sure It’ll be bittersweet to me too, just the way it is for you. I love how you expressed the feelings of your “baby” growing up too fast. I feel that way too, mine’s already one year old and I feel like he’s going to be off to college before I can blink!
Love your blog theme too!