Everything I’m learning, I’m learning from Kindergarteners

She sobbed quietly as she tightly grasped her mother’s hand in a cooler-than-usual late July morning. He grips my other hand with a soft, nonchalant grip as he eagerly walks, for the first time, to the bus stop.

The first day of Kindergarten was very typical for both Swee’Pea and TheMonk. Swee’Pea had good moments and rough moments, including some all-out tears. TheMonk had some trepidation at first but quickly decided he liked Kindergarten and fell in line with all the other kids quickly.

But that first day was just a couple of hours while Mommy and Daddy were in the teacher and a couple more hours without Mommy and Daddy. The second day would be the first full day and it would begin with their first ever ride on a school bus.

As the bus arrives, the nervous Swee’Pea begins to cry. We carry her on the bus and the bus driver, a nice older gentleman, tries to comfort her. We find a seat near the front and Swee’Pea and TheMonk sit down. I ask TheMonk to hold his sister’s hand and he does so dutifully. But it is clear that he is in awe of his surroundings and loves being on that bus. It is also clear that Swee’Pea feels just the opposite.

So Mommy and Daddy exit the bus while we watch Swee’Pea cry from afar. Soon, the bus is loaded up with 32 excited kids and one scared, crying kid and they are off.

Of course, I got in my car and followed the bus. You would too if this was the last think you saw when you exited the bus:

12 Comments

1. It is so hard to be a parent. Poor thing, for the both of you.
   Ironically for my parents my first day of Kindergarten was a breeze. Said good-bye, got on the bus and that was all she wrote. My first day of first grade however, I cried like an infant. Go figure.

   Comment by Jane — July 29, 2010 @ 9:20 pm

2. Ohhh, what a heartbreaking picture!

   And boy, does school start early for them! We don’t start until September 1st.

   Comment by Deanna — July 29, 2010 @ 10:04 pm

3. The end??? Was she still crying when she got off the bus? Or had TheMonk helped calm Swee’Pea down and was she now excited for the day? You can’t leave us hanging like that!!!

   Comment by krys72599 — July 30, 2010 @ 4:41 am

4. Where’s the rest of the story man?! You’re killing me! And also, can you at least make up a happy ending if poor Swee’Pea is still stressed? B’c my daughter starts Kindergarten in about a month, and I’m so nervous for her!

   Comment by Val — July 30, 2010 @ 6:26 am

5. I would have totally followed that bus, too. I think you may have given her a lifetime scar against public transportation. Y’all had better start saving for that first car!

   Comment by Nancy [Fear and Parenting in Las Vegas] — July 30, 2010 @ 11:09 am

6. Aww, poor Swee’Pea! I hope it’s gotten better. At least she had TheMonk to hold her hand the whole bus ride.

   Comment by Breanne — July 30, 2010 @ 11:15 am

7. You always give me the warm fuzzies when you talk about your kids. It is far too adorable. I’m sorry she is having such a hard time. I hope, as her stress level drops when things become more familiar for her, that she will begin to enjoy school.

   Comment by Kellee — July 30, 2010 @ 3:20 pm

8. Please, please, please tell me that she had stopped crying by the time they got to the school, that she had a good day, that she now loves Kindergarten. That face is just heartbreaking.

   Comment by Allyson/HBMomof2 — July 31, 2010 @ 1:08 am

9. Oh poor girly. I hope next week is easier for her. And you.

   Comment by Issa — July 31, 2010 @ 9:20 am

10. That’s my girl, let it all hang out.

    Comment by Grandmother — August 1, 2010 @ 11:30 am

11. Ugh. This is what earns you the right to hear them call you “mama” and “daddy”. Tough day!!! (And also very sweet!)

    Comment by KandJsmom — August 1, 2010 @ 4:17 pm

12. Oh, goodness. How did you keep from crying, too? Do you guys go to school year-round? It seems really early…mine start this week. I will be the only parent there not crying because mine will be coming to school WITH me all day instead of going to daycare away from me. Come to think of it, I may cry for a different reason…there’s no escaping them now! Haha.

    Comment by amy — August 7, 2010 @ 2:12 pm

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