We have been prepping for this day for weeks. Parker’s first day of school. We’ve been eating our lunches out of lunches boxes and recently, we had the opportunity to meet Parker’s teacher and tour his classroom. Today, he took a page out of my style book. He decided to wear his necktie…. on the outside of his vest. During the ride to school, he drew a picture to give his teacher. When we arrived, I offered to hold his hand and walk him into the building then he said to me, “I’ve got it” He remembered exactly what to do and where to go. As we drove off, I saw him sitting at a desk by the window, probably chatting with other students.

Reflecting on his time here at home, I wonder if I did enough to prepare him for this day. Have I catered to him and his brother too much? Is it possible to cater to your children too much? I’m confident he’s where he should be academically, and he adapts to new surroundings without much hesitation. I am concerned about how he will fare emotionally these first few weeks. The boys are used to being with me all the time. Even when they are playing independently in another room, I’ve always been a yell away. Their lunches are always a variety of fruits, vegetables, starches, and proteins. Sometimes I plate their food pretty because, why not? Parker isn’t going to have that at school. The least I can do is pack his lunch so he’s eating food with a familiar look and taste. I’m probably overthinking things, but I can’t help it. In the famous words of Timon, “Our trio’s down to two”. It’s only for six hours a day but that’s a whole six hours without my firstborn!

As parents, we spend so much time preparing our kids for what’s to come, and when that moment arrives and we see them succeed, it’s a great feeling. I know he’s going to rock it and we’ll be here supporting him every step of the way.

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