Thousands of parents across the country drop their children off at school each morning (or put them on a school bus) and pick them up hours later once the day is through. They trust that the teachers and the school are going to take care of their child and love him/her like their own. I have 25 children whose parents trust me each day with their children. None of them have parents who teach at our school. They drop their babies off at 7:45 and pick them up at 2:40. They wonder throughout the day how their child is doing...is he happy? Did she get over that nervous feeling? I hope he makes some new friends. Is the teacher being nice? Did he get in trouble today? I hope she ate all of her lunch.
The list goes on and on.
Tomorrow Jackson starts 3rd grade at the Charles Townes Center in Greenville County. He has been at Palmetto with me since he was in 3 year old Kindergarten. I took him with me every day (except car duty morning when Darron brought him). Every afternoon I knew he would be in my classroom waiting on me when I finished with dismissal. We would talk about his day, do his homework, have a snack, and ride home together.
I was one of the few who took their child to work with them. I was blessed. Blessed by seeing him in the hall. Blessed by knowing if he was sick or felt bad, his teacher would send him to me instead of the school nurse ( no offense, Candy). Blessed by his teachers letting him hug when he saw me in the building. Blessed by him coming to see me to brag and share his awesome work.
This is what makes tomorrow (and this school year) so hard FOR ME!!! Jackson is nervous and worried....that doesn't help the situation. I haven't met his teacher. I haven't seen his classroom or his desk. I haven't met the other children in his class. Darron is an awesome dad and took him to Meet the Teacher while I was at work with other people's children.
The unsureness of it all bothers me. Knowing that my little man is worried makes it worse for me. I have prayed so hard over the past few weeks that God will take care of him. That his teacher will be nice. That he will find his way to class...upstairs. That he will eat his lunch. That he will make friends quickly. That he will follow rules and stay out trouble. That the work will challenge him and not be too hard. That he will make it to after school program okay and not forget to go by the nurse's office on the way. That he won't feel lonely.....without familiar faces....without me.
Tomorrow I become a regular parent. One who kisses their son goodbye as he and dad climb in the car and head off to school. The one who picks her son up at the afterschool program because she has to work and can't be there at 2:30.
Ready or not....there he goes
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