First Day Jitters

Back to school jitters for parents 

The CNE is on September long weekend around the corner and that is the indicator for us Torontonians  Summer has come to an end. We are back to school after the long weekend.  

Majority of parents are doing the happy dance and getting back into routine... looking forward to breaking the broken record of kids saying “ I’m bored...there’s  nothing in the fridge.” We did it. We made it through another summer.

However for some of our parents out there we are just as nervous and excited as our children are entering school for the first time. But these jitters don’t stop at our children entering into kindergarten. They also reappear for the parents whose kids are entering high school or starting college or moving away from home for the first time to go to University -  or even a complete different country to complete their Masters.  

Our hearts are overwhelmed with the excitement of them starting or continuing their educational career. We are excited about what they will learn or proud of what they will continue to accomplish. 

I have three children each in a different stage of their education career. One in high school, one in university and one heading out to complete her masters. I look at each one of them and admire where they are and what they have accomplished.   With each stepping stone, I have come to realize my tears of  happiness and pride for them is also tears that I am letting them go ( oh and I cry all the time, I’m a mom) . They have become independent. We as parents are no longer seen as the star of our children’s life.  We are starting to become merely a supporting role in their life.
As I kiss my children good bye on the first day, (if my son will let me) or send my daughters off to University, I recall the child ( ren) way back as I dropped them off at kindergarten wondering how this will all turn out. There are some forks in the road but it all works out.

Parents - pat yourself on the back  that first day. We are parents.  We will survive as will our children. We will make mistakes along the way, I know I did but it is growing curve for all of us. We will worry when there really is no need to and at the end of the day when we pick them up from school – and even 10 years later when they are in university. All they really are asking for is to know you will be there unconditionally loving them at the end of the day. And how can we not they are our babies.

Happy first day of school Parents we got this.