It’s the first week of school. I specifically didn’t start homeschooling this week, because I wanted focus on getting the girls into a good routine.
The first day was rough. Not for Jessie or Julie – both of them were delighted to go back to school, psyched about their new lunch boxes and new school supplies and happy to get up early, get dressed and bounced out the door. Jessie didn’t want to take the bus on the first day, because she wanted to be at the school to help welcome the new scared 6th graders. Marc dropped Julianna and I off at Flagg Street, drove Jessie back to school, and then came back to get us.
At Flagg, on the first day, parents always walk their kids to school. Julie doesn’t like me to walk her to class, it’s always easier for her to have me drop her off quick, in the car pool lane, and then she bops out to class. If I walk her there, she has TIME to get misty and think about the fact that she’s going to be at school all day without me. But on the first day, I insist. Mainly because I don’t want her to be the only one without a mom there, and partly because I like to see everyone. It’s tradition, and I’ve been doing it since Jessie was six years old.
This year was different, and a little bit tough. I have peer groups with each kid – I know the eighth grade parents, the fourth grade parents, and the first grade ones. I smile winningly at parents of kids in other grades, but the ones who match up with mine – they’re my peeps. On some level, at least. And this year, I don’t have a fourth grader.
Anyway – this week is about the girls.
Julie asked, last night before bed, if she really had to get up and go to school tomorrow.
I do think she likes school. She certainly adores her teacher, and she loves learning. She soaks up knowledge, just soaks it all in. She struggles sometimes with the social complexities of first grade, but that’s part of the process. But because I’m homeschooling her brother, and becoming steeped in that whole culture, there’s a part of me that wonders if she’ll be homeschooling eventually as well. She’s got a playdate this afternoon, and I’m trying to sign her up for girl scouts or art class or some sort of THING for after school.
Jessie is growing up. I mean, of course, she is. That’s the whole point, right? But she just is…. it’s not just the height (although I had no idea how disconcerting it was going to be to have my baby taller than I am). It’s the general sense of … completeness. Does that make sense? She’s just grown – she feeds herself, dresses herself, figures out what she needs, how to get it, has her own likes and dislikes and opinions and presents them in a coherent and friendly manner. Unless she’s got five blisters (which is what happened on Tuesday – and she sobbed like a two year old for most of the night).
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