Today Claire starts third grade.
Last night as I thought about writing this post, I thought it would be all, "YAY! The kids are back in school!" And, it is; oh, my GAWD it is.
But, it is also something more.
Third grade, for me, was the last year I went to school without a bra. It was the last year the boys and girls played together easily and without any concern for the fact that they are biologically "different".
As I have seen her several times over these last few months in a bathing suit and various states of dress and undress, I realized that she, Lord help me, is on the brink of puberty. Her little body is starting to just look different- not like Pam Anderson, mind you, just different. I believe that she, poor thing, will likely start fourth grade with a trainer's bra, just like her ol' mommy did.
Her attitude has changed, too. She is becoming more obstinate and opinionated with me- only me. She questions me directly when I make rules or rulings she doesn't like. She is entering that stage where her parents (or at least her mom) are essentially there to make life totally blow for her and are the dumbest and uncoolest creatures in the entire! universe! She's not there just yet, but the winds are changing, my friends. My little angel is about to see me as Pulic Enemy Numero Uno in a few short years.
And, the drama that has ensued in this neighborhood of three 8-year old girls this summer! Oh, the tears! The disappointments! The wrongdoings! Three little people who used to be sweet, giggling buddies often part now in sobs and hurt feelings. See, I told you, the estrogen is revving up.
So, as I stuff her pink and brown plaid backpack, still smelling of newness, with medical emergency slips and checks for lunch and school fees this perfect, humid morning, I do so with a bit of heaviness clouding the pure joy that the first day of school brings to parents.
My baby is growing up.
I hope to share photos of this momentous day but my camera, once lost, has been found. But, it is 150 miles from home. I hope my neighbor will be kind enough to email photos that I can upload to you, otherwise I am going old school today....
11 comments:
Aw, it's kind of bittersweet, isn't it?
There will be new challenges, but new rewards also.
I am stressing about first grade too. This is the first time that he will spend more hours of the week with his peers than with me. I am very worried about the peer pressure.
It's scary to see your baby turning into a person, isn't it?
Here's something scary: My almost 11 year old is getting hairy legs, fuzz on his upper lip, and kept "adjusting himself" during the women's gymnastics.
I need a drink.
Oh, this was a good post. I hope she enjoys third grade. Alexis starts 2nd grade this year.
Have a good day - Kellan
Oh, Toni. I remember the beginning of the angst, too. The training bras, the first zit that you pretended was a mosquito bite....enjoy the last of the childhood.
I feel ya. You're right it is so bittersweet; all of it. I know it's wrong to want to keep them little, And I'm sure there's tons o joy yet to come (EXCLUDING the teenage years of course).
And the 'training bra'? Dumbest name ever. Like really. They might as well call it the puberty bra and be done with it.
I am pretty sure my daughter will never get old like that. EVER. I cannot imagine.... *sigh*
I wish they would just stay little....
I'm a 32NA so I can't relate to the training bra in the 4th grade thing, but I can relate to the feeling that our kids are growing up so fast. My son is starting to roll his eyes at me when he thinks I'm not looking and he's only 4.5! Hang in there!!
Karen of the MomDot Street Team
www.MomDot.com
It is a wonderful/scary thing. Growing up is hard to do.
Boom is in that, and Boogs is entering kindergarten while Meathead is moving into middle school....
I am beside myself with all of this change. I was impatiently waiting for school to start again, and now this last week suddenly seems too short.
We will all have heavy hearts on that day.
I also have a now-third grader and I'm twitching at the thought that what his peers thinks will be more important to him than what I think. How could that happen???
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