| I'm not so old that I do not remember the | | | | several classrooms and teachers throughout |
| first day back to school throughout most of | | | | the day. This child who is already |
| elementary, middle, high school or even at | | | | experiencing physical and hormonal changes is |
| University. I have not had to prepare a child | | | | actually scared half to death. They are |
| for the first day at school or back to school | | | | usually too frightened to admit it and are |
| but I have lived vicariously through the | | | | caught between wanting to be in Mom's lap to |
| experience of other parents, especially | | | | thinking no one loves them. Finding their |
| Moms.I adopted this family from church with | | | | locker and getting to classes on time could |
| four children and asked the Mom what was | | | | make this child an olympic runner. Leaving |
| needed and she gave me names, ages and sizes. | | | | middle school and entering high school for |
| I was assigned to take care of underwear and | | | | this age group is almost heaven as long as |
| the like. Yikes! What a chore that turned out | | | | they feel they are wearing a parachute. They |
| to be! Imagine someone with no children | | | | must be out of braces at this age and are now |
| trying to shop for 4 kids from age 3 to 12. | | | | hoping they are smart enough to 'make the |
| The girls are the youngest and oldest. I | | | | grade.' They are the ones with the most |
| won't tackle that again. I decided I will | | | | nervous excitement, I feel, because their is |
| give a gift card from the store and let Mom | | | | more excitement than fear. A junior becoming |
| do the shopping next time. I tried very hard | | | | a senior in high school knows the GPA must be |
| to put myself into it and faked it a bit but | | | | as high as it possibly can for any Ivy League |
| after finishing, I realised I had a fun time | | | | school to glance in their direction but then |
| except for worrying if the kids would like | | | | it is the last year of childhood (in their |
| their undergarments.What I did has to be the | | | | minds). Others know how much a high GPA |
| easiest part of going back to school after a | | | | matters, period. The pressure is on to make |
| long summer break. I thought about the big | | | | something of themselves and moving beyond |
| list of things to do and the clothes and | | | | high school is a gigantic leap from |
| school supplies that must be bought; not to | | | | irresponsible teen to responsible college |
| mention a biological clock schedule change | | | | student or employee. Matriculating at |
| that must be adjusted. Moms and Mr. Moms have | | | | University is a pivotal moment for freshmen. |
| scurried about in the heat of summer to get | | | | The moment they've waited for all their lives |
| physicals, dental checkups, orthodontic | | | | is now at hand but for the life of them, they |
| adjustments, haircuts and shopping completed. | | | | can't figure out why they're homesick! I've |
| What I visited most concerns the mental | | | | only written from my imaginings and not from |
| changes and adjustments students of all ages | | | | the experience of preparing a child for the |
| must make and it can't be easy. Transitions | | | | first day back to school. My prayer is for |
| taking place will be challenging, | | | | each child to feel loved and safe. I do not |
| frightening, upsetting and a sign of growth | | | | want them preoccupied with adult matters. I |
| and maturation. These transitions may not be | | | | desire for the innocence of youth to be |
| willingly accepted but forced without harmful | | | | protected and respected. I want their first |
| intent because life happens. Infants become | | | | day back to school to be one of the best days |
| toddlers; toddlers become boys and girls who | | | | of the rest of the school year! Moms, Dads, |
| become adolescents then teens; teens become | | | | and Guardians? Give them a hug for me?Back to |
| young adults who become fully grown. (God | | | | school for Moms, Dads, and Guardians means |
| willing!)WHAT WILL BACK TO SCHOOL MEAN?Back | | | | all of the above and then some. You're no |
| to school will mean a pre-K student going to | | | | doubt experiencing what the children are so I |
| the first grade will now stay in school all | | | | suggest a group hug.You'll have lovely |
| day instead of half a day. The child has to | | | | stories to hear when they get home from the |
| become accustomed to being away from Mom most | | | | first day back to school. Others of you will |
| of the day. Back to school for the sixth | | | | receive phone calls, just as I will. Nieces |
| grader will mean breaking away from one | | | | and nephews will be amazed they survived the |
| classroom and teacher for most of the day, to | | | | day, just as I have assured them they will. |