Mother of a Kindergartener

Well, it's official. Audrey is a preschool graduate! I know, Paul thinks I'm a little crazy that I’m all emotional about it, but I can't believe she'll be in Kindergarten in August. She's beyond ready, reading a lot on her own, writing all the time, and always eager to learn. I always thought I wouldn't be one of "those" moms that cries when their kid goes to Kindergarten. I mean, I know what goes on in schools. The kids are taken care of and it will be alright. But as it gets closer and closer, I think I will be one of "those" moms. And that's ok. I think it just finally hit me that this will be a school where I won't be with Audrey. Her first preschool experience was from Dec. '08-July '09 at Yad B'Yad Temple Emmanuel Preschool...she was in the 2's class and I taught the 3's. She was right down the hall. Then she went to a home preschool done by a lady that lived across the street from Paul's parents from Aug-Dec of '09. Even though I wasn't there, Paul's parents were so close by. Then in Jan.'10 we went to MorningStar Academy where I started teaching and Audrey was in class with me and the other teachers...and she's been there since. Now she’s a May 2011 Graduate of MorningStar Academy.

Pictures with family who came to graduation...
Audrey & Owen

Aunt Rae Lynne, Owen, Audrey & Abuelita

Now, I won't be able to be at school with her to remind her to say "May I please...?" and "Thank you." I won't be there to hug her if she gets hurt or someone hurts her feelings. I won't be there to help her when she gets stuck reading or writing a word. I won't be there on the playground to watch her and make sure she's playing nicely, and that others are playing nicely with her. I thought I’d be ready for this day, and yet I’m not. At least I have a couple months to soak up more Audrey time before she’s off learning totally on her own!

Speaking of Kindergarten, why is it so hard to choose a school for your kid these days? There are so many options, which is a good thing, yet makes things so crazy. Do you go to public school? Do you go to the public school in your neighborhood, or get a boundary exception to a different one that might have better reports or friends are going? Do you go to a private school? Do you go to one of the MANY charter schools? The choices are endless. We of course thought of what would be best for Audrey. We know she’ll do great anywhere, seeming to be a child who can learn in all sorts of ways. I just thought it would be so great for her to go to school in our neighborhood, meet neighborhood kids and go to school with kids from church. Of course a lot of her church friends made other choices and won’t be at the same school. While I’m mostly ok with the choice we made, every time I hear about people being on waiting lists, or camping out at a school in the early morning hours for a spot…I think, did we make the right choice? Did we do it just because it was an easy choice? I know we didn’t, but I think as a parent you are always second guessing yourself. Wanting to know you made the right choice, but not being able to see the future. I know that as long as we communicate with the teacher/school and are an active part in Audrey’s education that everything will work out. If we are ever unhappy with the education she’s receiving, we can always make a change. You just need to be an advocate for your kid, and do what’s best. That’s all we really can do.