Kindergarten Love Letter

Sweet Owen,

As we navigate this monumental period of your childhood I find myself reflecting in the best way I know how, fervently trying to capture photos that freeze the time and putting words to the page.

Given your late birthday you are going to be one of the oldest kids in your class and therefore you are more than ready to begin your kindergarten adventure. You are obsessed with the school clothes in your closet waiting to be worn and are looking forward to making new friends. As a toddler you had such a hard time with separation and were so slow to warm up that it still surprises me how outgoing and gregarious you have become. Waltzing into a new situations rarely phases you anymore and you're generally ready for me leave pretty much immediately at any drop off. The night before your first day we read the poem your teacher gave you and sprinkled your "ready confetti" under your pillow. I didn't get the sense that you were anxious at all, though you asked me to sit outside of your room until you feel asleep "since tomorrow was your first day." When I told you Daddy and I were going to follow the bus so we could walk you into your classroom, you requested that we didn't. 

As our first born sometimes you get the best of our parenting abilities and sometimes I feel like we could have done better. It can't be denied that we put the most amount of effort into parenting you but your siblings will certainly benefit from the parenting trail and error you endure. The months leading up to kindergarten I wasn't totally sure if we'd succeeded when it came to preparing you. I've never considered the birth to five years time for teaching academics. My focus up to this point in your life has been teaching you to be loving, kind and emotionally in tune with both yourself and others. That goal has absolutely been achieved- from some combination of who you are innately and what we've taught you. You proudly declare that you are the nicest kid in your daycare class. At the same time, now that we're preparing to send you through the doors of elementary school I doubted our choices and wondered- will you be on par with your classmates when it comes to math and writing? Was it enough to read to you nightly or should we have been doing flashcards so you'd know your sight words? 

I called to talk with you daycare teacher, Mrs. Trish, to see what she thought we should work on in the last few months leading up to kindergarten. She raved about how you were one of the most mature kids in your class, were friends with everyone and bored with the pre-K material. She said you could think through your actions and understand the consequences. Mrs. Trish had no doubt that you will excel socially, emotionally and academically. After that conversation I knew we'd done the right thing. You may not know how to write every single letter of the alphabet when you start but that's the whole point of kindergarten. You've got a fierce determination, you're inquisitive and inventive, and you are ready to learn. And at the end of the day- kindness, emotional intelligence and hard work will always be a more important values in our family than achievement. 

So spread your wings and take flight my boy. Be brave, be kind and try your best. I love you with all that I have and all that I am. I am so proud of you and can't wait to see all the ways you will grow and change as your kindergarten adventure unfolds. 

xoxo,

Your loving mama