Gaining Confidence

Last year at this time my little boy started Kindergarten. We went through a couple of first-day-of-school practice drills so things would seem familiar to him when school actually began. On day 1, I walked him all the way to his classroom. On day 2, I did the same. On day 3, I walked half-way down the Kindergarten hall and let his best friend walk him the rest of the way. They hugged before parting company. End of the first week, and no mishaps. Whew!

On the second week I held back a little farther each day, allowing Ian and Jack to navigate the corridor together. By the end of the week I felt sure they could do it alone come Monday. And they did.

Yesterday was day 1 of first grade. As last year, I parked the car, put Ainsley in a stroller with her Cheerios and sunglasses, and we all went side-by-side into the building. It was like Grand Central Station. Every kid under the age of 9 had a parent with them, or so it seemed. Ian scooted through the maze of people, dragging his red backpack behind him (just like the big kids do). When we passed his hallway, he stopped me and said,

Mom, we have to go back. It's over there.

I was so proud of him for noticing, because I sure didn't recognize the way.

He eagerly put his backpack in his new locker and went into the classroom without me. I felt a little guilty, because several parents were going in to take pictures of their children in the new classroom on the first day. Ian has never been one for formalities, and since he had already kissed me good-bye, I decided not to drag it out. My heart sank a little, but I was so thrilled at his competence that it really didn't matter that he didn't need me as much as the other kids needed their parents on the first day.

Today I was fully prepared to walk him to the front of the school, even to the first grade hallway if necessary. But Ian wouldn't have it. At breakfast he said,

Mom, remember the rule: Kindergarteners need their parents to walk them to class. First graders do it by themselves.

Well, ok then. Confidence. I like that.

On the drive to school I checked with him once more. He was sure he could do it himself. So I dropped him off and watched him walk proudly into the school on his own.