Feeling sad...my "baby" is in school full days

[R&J]

My DS5 will be in school full days 2 days a week starting today and the rest of the week he will continue to be in mornings only. This schedule works very well for us, as I have a couple of days to really get things done without rushing around and he gets to transition into full days, every day which he will be doing in September when he enters Grade 1. We also still get some afternoons to do other stuff.

However, I'm feeling weepy right now because I know I will miss him when he goes regular full days in the fall. I remember when my DD8 first started Grade 1 (she's in Grade 3 now), the house seemed unnaturally quiet in the afternoons (except for DS asking when his sister would be coming home). One of DS teachers yesterday warned me yesterday that I would miss him - I already knew that! She said when her youngest daughter went off to school, the house seemed so empty...she cried Well, this is what I'm kind of feeling now and I think it will be MUCH worse in September.

OK, I just wanted to sort of vent how I feel. My DH will tease me and tell me "Cut the apron strings already!" But I'm a SAHM and I do miss having my little ones around, they are so full of love and so much fun.

 

[ilovejack02]

I was a mess when DS6 started full time this yr. Last year he was in half day kinder . I cried for weeks up until the big day. I cried at open house, I cried when I phoned the bus driver, I cried when we took him to school for testing .
Funny thing is the first day of school.. didnt cry. I must have been all cried out lol!
I will say I soon got over it though.. One thing that helped is my girl friends and I started a monday lunch date. I also started working up at his school and volunteering in the community.
I did really really miss him on Monday and Tuesday this week after being home for the holidays.

It will get better.

 

[justhat]

My daughter just switched from half days to full days on Monday and it's been a shock for me too. She's been super excited about this since September, but I didn't realize how it would affect me till I picked her up Monday afternoon and saw her with all the 'big' kids now.

 

[DawnM]

This is one reason I homeschool.

Now that the older ones are almost out of elem. I have given them the option to go to school or homeschool each year and so far they still actually want to be with me!

Dawn

 

[dawnbu40]

As a mom of an "older" kid I can sympathize. I will never forget how hard it was to leave DD on her first day of kindergarten and she just waved and said "bye" like it was no big deal. Well last year she graduated highschool and I honestly think I cried at every "last" she had...last Homecoming, last Prom..last full day...last parent teacher conference. I think you get the picture. Anyway I've found that each new stage has its rewards and they give you new things to be proud of like making a 4.0 her first semester of college. (OOps mom bragging moment Sorry) Anyway use the time to help at their school or have some time for yourself and the hours he's gone will go faster.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My "baby" just turned 5 in December and goes to preschool 3 mornings a week - it is very quiet while she's gone (even though I babysit a 13 month old). She will start Kindergarten in the fall. My son is in the 2nd grade this year so he's been full days for 2 years now.

Until 3 weeks ago, I have always worked full time. My oldest dd has been doing my childcare for me but she recently finished college and has gotten a job. This was a must for her as she will be losing our medical coverage on her birthday in February - she will be 25.

I missed so much of her life while I was working - no volunteering at schools, helping with parties or chaparoning field trips. I feel like I'm getting a 2nd chance. I know one thing for sure, starting over after your first (and only at the time) is 17 years old sure makes you realize how fast the years go by.

 

[Laurabearz]

For the first month I would wander the house aimlessly... Now I am like whoa... where did the whole day go!!

But I am Art Mom for two of my kids, Brownie Leader for the other kid, etc.

It gets better ((hugs))

 

[las3888]

DS just started preschool last fall and boy did I cry that first day. It wasn't just a gentle gliding tear down the cheek either, it was full-blown sobbing! How embarrasing! Anyways, I am still not that used to coming home. I do appreciate the free time really, but when I pull up in the driveway, I always reach for his door to open it STILL! This is only 2 days a week, mind you!!!

I know I will be a mess when he starts kindergarten, and then 1st grade when he goes full days. Time is oh so fleeting.

It is hard for me too because he is my one and only. I sometimes think mothers of onlies have the worst of it...everytime their child does something, like go to kindergarten, it's not 'oh my first one is off to kidnergarten, or my last one is off to kindergarten' but for me, it's BOTH!

 

[lisadr]

Went through the same thing when DD started kindergarden. I thought I would be fine because she went to preschool but I was a blubbering mess

Thank goodness my DD is so independent. The first day of school we took her to the bus stop and I walked her across the street to the bus and she got on the bus and sat in the first row (where the kinders sit). I asked the bus driver if I could take a picture and she said if I was REAL quick. So I snapped a quick pic and DD says "Ma, get off the bus! We gotta go now!"

It's hard but hang in there it gets better

Oh I also wanted to tell you in response to DH and "cutting the apron strings", my DH stayed home from work on her 1st day in his words "For you-I knew she'd be fine!"
And from the lady at work: I had been going to work and was still weepy when I got there at 10:30am (dd gets on bus at 8:30am). So I said to her "Were you like this when your kids went to school?". She replied "Yeah-when they went TO COLLEGE!!!".

 

[staley7580]

Oh yeah... We went to kindergarten orientation and they had a big exciting announcement. All kindy classes were going to be full day! I started bawling in the middle of orientation. My husband was SO embarrassed.

 

[mjkacmom]

It is hard for me too because he is my one and only. I sometimes think mothers of onlies have the worst of it...everytime their child does something, like go to kindergarten, it's not 'oh my first one is off to kidnergarten, or my last one is off to kindergarten' but for me, it's BOTH!

LOL - my twins are still in kindergarten, 1/2 day, and I can't wait until next year, and they're all in school! I don't know how well I would've handled my dd starting middle school if I didn't have a couple starting kindergarten! I'll have kids in elementary for 14 years straight !

 

[R&J]

I knew I wouldn't be the only "sappy mom", but it's reassuring to see it all in black & white LOL.

I know when both my kids are in school full time in the fall, it will be an adjustment - probably more for me than for them. I do like that I will be more available to help out at school - and they will finally both be attending the same school, which will definitely make things easier. Plus I think I'd like to volunteer a few hours a week elsewhere as well, so I know I will find plenty of ways to keep busy.

One of my friends called this afternoon to say she was thinking about me, and how did my day go? I told her how the house seemed so quiet & empty, and she said, "So are you thinking about having a third?" I told her no, the baby ship has sailed away!!

My DH will be taking a day off on the first day of school in September. He already knows I will find it difficult. I was in tears when my DD, then 4, went to her first day of kindergarten (she, of course, was perfectly fine), but I think this will be worse

Thanks for all the support!