I have to admit…I am experiencing a bit of the green-eyed monster. What is it that has me out of sorts?
All the happy kids that LOVE going to school.
Don’t get me wrong…I love happy kids. Being a first grade teacher for twenty plus years, nothing is more satisfying about my job then seeing a happy kid with friendly eyes and a big smile thrilled about an accomplishment, a kind word shared, or a great time at recess. They smile and love listening as I read aloud a favorite first grade book. They laugh at the silly poems and chants. Excited for recess, they help each other clean up their snacks and sit criss-cross applesauce on the floor, waiting for me to dismiss them so they can see more friends out on the playground.
I guess the bit of jealousy is there because I wished that mine felt that way about going to school.
The last couple of weeks, I have been slightly green about the perfectly executed, Pinterest inspired, first day pictures that covered Facebook. Toothy smiles proudly displaying some creative way to remember their current age or grade. Standing in new clothes, donning a recently purchased backpack, and carrying a carefully selected lunchbox; they are eager to head off and see what is scheduled for today.
We have a first day picture, there is no smile. He looks so handsome in his new blue polo and gray pants, but his upset face distracts you from his first day of school outfit.
The morning of the first day of school, we heard about nerves and anxiety and believe me, we were nervous too. We were nervous that this transition to third grade would be too much for him. We were worried that the kid that taunted him in first grade, the one in his class again, would quickly figure out his newest buttons and would get the reaction that he was looking for…again, in third grade.
Honestly, I am cautiously optimistic. My eyes are just a shade of green right now, but that will disappear once everyone is in their regular everyday clothes and the new backpacks and lunch pails are all a bit scuffed! 🙂
I’m wondering…Did anyone else experience a less than Pinterest perfect back to school day?
My Twice Baked Potato 
My wife was the one who took the boys to school. She was very nervous particularly as my older boy is starting a new school. Thankfully, it went well but to say it was all smiles. Well, that would be a great exaggeration.
Sounds like you started on the right foot! Hope it continues 🙂
I’ll be happy to get no calls home. Dream big!
I know what you mean! My son was bored enough with the routine of the summer and interested in how this year would be different that he was “ok” with going. I think he likes his teacher, I KNOW he likes math and science, but he HATES cursive. I told him “Nobody likes cursive. You just have to do it anyway.”
On Friday I’m going to share how his school year is going so far, along with a funny story that is so typical of our family! I’ll try to tag you in it-you’ll get a kick out of the story if nothing else.
Great-I would love to hear it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
You are not alone. My son has not had an easy transition to grade 2 either and his first day of school photo has an upset face on it. Every morning is a battle to get him out the door. I don’t even want to think about when the homework starts coming home and he had a pretty good grade 1 year. Hold strong mama everything will work out-it might take a lot work but I have to believe it will be better in October.
Bonnie-
You are so sweet!
It is so hard to see our children struggling, isn’t it?!?
Honestly, it has been so much better than other back to school years, but I just want him to see that school can be interesting and worthwhile 🙂
Blessings to you and yours and hoping that things improve for both our children 🙂
I had one home SICK on the first day. This year was less of a struggle than the past, but we are never Pinterest worthy. They are usually still in the clothes they wore last school year, needing haircuts and eating Poptarts as they walk out the door.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! I think that really is more of the reality, don’t you? I get sucked in sometimes by the Pinterest phenomenon and then I have to remember that I am doing my best. 🙂