The First Day of School: Quivering lip? …or Pep in the Step?

Guest Blogger:  Kate from Scotland

              Mom to three small children

‘The first day of school.’  Some newbie school parents will read that statement with quivering lips; others with the enthusiasm of an over-caffeinated cheerleading captain.  Some newbie parents will wonder where the time has slipped away to while others will be excited to finally see that mythical empty laundry basket for new beginnings. As the days ticked down to my oldest’s first day, I pondered which team would I be on? Team ‘sentimental saps’ or Team ‘tough guys’?

Being a newbie, I wasn’t sure what to expect first day. How would I feel? How would she feel?  How would I feel about how she felt? (Yeah, I tend to overthink sometimes…) As a stay at home mom, my daughter Lily has been my right hand girl these past five years.  She witnessed first-hand my parenting highs and my parenting disasters learning moments.  We have kinda been learning this parenting gig together, as a team… What was this first day going to bring? 

As dawn broke that first day morning, the buzz in the house was epic.  With full tummies, pressed clothes and our overdone Pinterest inspired photo session done, we made the family walk to wave our girl off onto her new journey.  Watching the range of emotions from fellow newbies, I recognized the common denominator.  Whether it was a quivering lip or pep in the step, the first day of school is as big for parents as it is for kids. 

And like every milestone, it has come and it has gone. I am happy.  She is happy.  And I am happy for her happiness. (There I go again…)

What have I been up to with my new found ‘free time’? Well, I am off to hide mess turbo clean for the impromptu play date that is always lurking, chuck ingredients into the slow cooker prep a healthy dinner, and slap on war paint touch up my makeup before I do the school run.  Don’t get me started on school gate mom code… ;)