Why I’m Not Crying At School Drop-Off

Humor, Parenthood

Why I’m Not Crying At School Drop-Off

“How do you feel?”

“Are you sad?”

“Nervous at all?”

Ive been asked the same question (or variations of it) umpteen times in relation to my kids starting school within the last several years.

And my answer, for some reason, is always met with surprise.

“I’m excited!” I reply.

The responses containing the least amount of skepticism generally sound like, “Oh, really?”

“Yep, really.”

My question is, am I supposed to be sad? Surely, it’s OK to be sad; I understand where my friends and loved ones are coming from. I guess I’m just missing something.

Personally, the idea of my children officially embarking on their educational career is thrilling to me. I am the child of generations of school teachers. I love to learn. My children love to learn, too, and I thrive on watching them grow. I see them especially flourish when they are not stuck to my side and reliant on my help. I see them transform when they rise to life’s challenges.

But most importantly, I am being gifted the chance to be present to watch their struggles and triumphs. I am here for their entrances to school. We have each other as we embark on this transition, and for that I am thankful and excited and blessed.

So, no, we aren’t nervous. There are smiles all around over here (but let’s chat again when it’s time for college ?).

Best of luck to everyone going through a similar transition ?

  1. Carol @ Music with Mummy Torbay

    August 14, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    Lovely post, and I, very much like you, never felt sad when my children moved from preschool to big school, I was excited for them too. I was more concerned when secondary school time arrived age 11, that was a much bigger concern, but was still excited as they had outgrown their primary school. The biggest shock came when it was time to go to University. My eldest, who was a premature baby, I was so excited and thrilled for him to go to University, then about 2 days before, seeing all his worldly possessions lined up in the hallway ready to pack in the car, then reality bit, really, really hard. I didn’t go in the car, his dad took him. And I cried for about two weeks. It kept coming over in waves, I really wasn’t expecting it as I was so proud and excited for him. It was like someone had ripped my heart out. He’s now 23, graduated with a first, and living away with his partner, and I’m very, very proud. But I still miss him. My youngest went off to Uni last year, this time around I was much more prepared for the wounds, and because I was prepared, they weren’t so deep. Still so very proud, and still miss him, but I’m able to balance it all much better second time around. Expect it to hurt deeply one day, even though you’re proud and excited, cos it really knocked me for six. Parenting, huh? What a journey x

  2. Carol @ Music with Mummy Torbay

    August 14, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    And good luck to your little girl, she looks so excited too! She’ll have a blast x

  3. A.B. Chesler

    August 14, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    Just when you’ve got it figured out, you don’t. ? Thank you for reading and responding. Much love to you and your family.

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