Back to School Transitions

Molly, Lucy & Charlie ready for school

Life is full of transitions, right? The transition from single to married, a couple to a family. Even my career underwent a major transition when I went from a corporate job to becoming a Beachbody coach.

Jack’s first day of kindergarten.

The first day of school is all about transitions too. This year three of my kids made huge transitions—into kindergarten, middle school and high school. Of course, I always enjoy the transition from a full house in the summer to everyone in school all day. (Aaahhh…) Remember when I talked about having a kindergartner and a high schooler? It’s finally happened!

This summer was so busy with camps, tournaments, vacations, Summit… I was ready for the kids (and me!) to get back to a structured schedule. The kids missed their friends and they needed more social time than I can provide them at home.

Jack’s first day of high school.

I was so sad to see my baby—my youngest—go into kindergarten. It’s hard! She was regressing in the last month of summer, not wanting to leave my side.

I didn’t even send her to camp because she just didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to pay for it if she was just going to be miserable.  Regardless, I thought the transition to school would be a non-event for her, that is how the other 3 were, but it hasn’t been quite that way.

The back to school week was an emotional roller coaster. From the high of experiencing first day on high school campus with our freshman and 600 other kids and parents, to having have the Kindergarten teacher wrench my crying baby from my leg (although I hear that was more of a show for me since the day went well according to both the teacher and Molly).

All week there has still been lingering sadness at drop off with Molly. I appreciate her wanting to be with me – but really? She told me second day, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best day ever, was a 5. So the next morning at drop off I told her I knew she was going to have another 5 day.

Every day it seems to be getting better at drop off. I am sure next week will be even better. The smile I get at pickup is awesome! She really is excited to see me. The first day when I asked her what her favorite part of the day was, she said it was “when you came to pick me up”.

I asked again a few hours later and heard this answer: French, Music and the Gingerbread Hunt. Then when I asked her to tell her daddy what her favorite part of her day was (hoping she would relay the mommy picking me up story) she had moved on and answered with French, Music and the Gingerbread Hunt.

The rest of the week was typical, kids adjusting to routines and doing school work. Football, Dance and Soccer have started and next week religious school begins.

What’s really funny is that Jack’s first day of high school was so much like his first day of kindergarten. When he was in kindergarten, parents were able to attend the first day with the kids. We stayed for half a day, which I think made the transition a little easier. (Probably for both the kids and the parents.)

Now that he is a freshman, we got to spend his first half a day at high school together with him. The day started with a 30-minute kickoff in the Auditorium with the band playing, pom and cheer dancing, sort of a pep-rally like setting. Then we were off to six, 20 minute class periods (basically the day without lunch). Teachers took attendance and introduced themselves and a few even gave assignments. I hadn’t seen the inside of a high school since 1987, so that was weird!

All in all, we’re back to a regular, busy schedule. Change definitely isn’t easy, even when we know it is coming. How has back-to-school been for you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.