First Day of Preschool!!

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive August 2007: First Day of Preschool!!

This morning was Natalie's first day of preschool!!!! I have been great up until lastnight and then I started feeling nervous about it. I didn't really feel nervous for her necessarily, mostly for what going to school means - the beginning of her leaving the nest. She was so precious this morning. She woke up and the first thing I heard her say before I even got into her room was, "Mommy, I'm ready to go to sool." She seemed fairly comfortable when we left, although I was using every ounce of strength to keep from bawling right there. I really had to hold it in. I had a minor meltdown, but now we're just waiting to go and pick her up. DH took the day off and we're going to the pool this afternoon. This is such a big step for us. We've never left her with anyone except grandparents ever. It's really strange for us. I feel happy for her and sad at the same time. Please tell me you all can relate!!!!!

Here are a few pics. I think DH and I look so tired. We were both up until around 2am watching/listening to the radio for tornadoes and severe storms that were all around us lastnight. Uck.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:03 am:

Yes, yes, yes, we can all relate! :-)

She looks very happy, and that's a GOOD sign! She'll do fine! Letting go, on any level, is HARD, harder on you than it is on them, for sure.

Hang in there!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:12 am:

YES, we can relate! It's bittersweet to send them off to school, but an important step in life towards independence. Little by little, whether we like it or not, we need to loosen those apron strings. {{{HUGS}}}

What a cutie! How did she like her first day?!

By Cat on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:30 am:

OH, Yeah! Shoot, I got teary eyed last week when my "baby" (who'll be 12 the 30th!) went to middle school! Yep, we can relate. You're a mom. Hugs and let us know how she did!

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:42 am:

Awww. she looks so happy! I'm worried about crying, when we drop Sarah off at college!

By Crystal915 on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 11:13 am:

Awwww!!

By Kernkate on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 11:43 am:

I can relate! She looks so happy to be going. Let us know how she makes out!
Every year seems so bittersweet. Brett will be going to JR High this year. 7th Grade, my oldest DS Tom will be a senior in college, and Alissa will be going into 1st grade. So with the 3 I can def relate!
Best of Luck to your Natalie she will do great!

By Debbie on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 11:44 am:

YES! We can all relate. The boys and I went to open house at school yesterday. We met their teachers and checked out the school. They are going to a brand new school, and it is just awesome. Today I am feeling anxious and sad knowing that in a few days my dks will be spending most of their time with someone I don't really know. Their teachers seemed so nice, and the boys really liked them, but it doesn't make it easier. And this is in 4th and 2nd! I feel this way at the beginning of every school year!

She does look so happy!! I am sure she is having a great time, and soon you will get into your own routine while she is gone.

And Dawn, I know I am going to be a mess when my dks go to college!! My mom said she cried all the way home when she dropped off my brother, and I for the first time. She said it was worse with me because I was the youngest.

By Andi on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 11:54 am:

She looks so happy and confident walking to her class. You know what that tells me? That tells me that you are raising a well rounded, confident, secure little girl.

Dylan was the same way. He walked right to his class and didn't look back...just started playing and having fun. I pray Taylor will be the same way.

Let us know how it went!

By Rayelle on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 12:37 pm:

Oh I can't wait to hear how it went! She looks happy about going. When my older 2 started school they had never been with anyone but grandparents either, so I know what that is like too. I hope she will tell you all about, my son was pretty tight lipped about school until second grade! I cry even thinking abut next year when my youngest will start. I hope she has a great day.

By Dana on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 12:50 pm:

I love those back pack pictures. They are half the size of the child, LOL. I have similar of my sweetie when she started Kindergarten (we never did preschool)

By Reds9298 on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 12:58 pm:

Thank you everyone!

Her first day went GREAT! I couldn't believe it, but she did exactly what you said Andi - walked in and didn't look back. We arrived a little early to pick her up (of course!) and saw her a bit without her knowing it. She seemed happy and comfortable. We're so proud of her we're bursting. I feel a bit of relief at getting through the first day. After telling us several things she did, we asked her what her favorite was and she said, "I just liked ALL the things at school!" Definitely what Mom and Dad want (and need) to hear!

Andi- When does Taylor start? I was thinking about you guys this morning, wondering if you had started yet or not.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 01:28 pm:

I'll have to take my "next to the sunflower" picture, before Sarah goes off to college! LOL! Today, we got her, her own cellphone. She is so happy. They don't have long distance in the dorms, because so many kids have cellphones. We still have to get a landline phone, with an answering machine, though, for the room. They make a little dorm directory, and the cellphones aren't on that. Sarah and I need to go look at phone/answering machines, today.

Kathy, Tom's a senior already? Didn't he just start college? That time goes so fast!

By Andi on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 01:39 pm:

That is great news.
Tay starts on the 11th it's her first day and only a half day. They ask that Mom & Dad stay an play that day. Her first full day solo will be that following Thursday the 14th. It will be my first "FREE" day in 6.5 years. Both of my kids will be in school!

By Reds9298 on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 03:05 pm:

I like the idea of the half day and parents stay for the first time. We had to visit a class in May and the teacher allowed us to stay for an hour or so and have Nat join in like the rest of the students. Then we've just talked about it ever since! We've also been role playing "school" a lot, with her Little People especially, and I think that helped, too.

By Ilovetom on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 03:18 pm:

She is precious and so are her parents. I am crying just lookin.

Okay I can relate on this level and it's higher than yours, but it never goes away.

We will take my first *baby* to Alabama for his senior year Sunday. I always cry when we leave him.

This past Monday as I was making my twin girls last first day of school pictures - seniors in high school- I cried. They will be leaving this year.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 04:36 pm:

Of course we can all relate. After I dropped my ds off (the "baby") for preschool I sat in the car and just burst into tears. I remember pulling out of the parking lot sobbing. I knew he would be fine, he is a little social butterfly and was SO ready for school, but it was one of those milestones you will always remember.

Natalie looked adorable and happy and confident and that is great!!

It sounds like she will do fine in school, and you and hubby will get used to not having dd around for that hour or so she is in class. I bet you were counting down the minutes before you got to pick her up, weren't you? Yep, that's what I did and I am sure many of us here did on our kids first days of school!
You made it thru the first day!! WTG Natalie!

By Bea on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 04:55 pm: