Mother of a School Aged Child?

6. Brothers sharing a tractor ride.
7. Rhubarb crisp
8. Welcome home pictures
9. Clean bathtubs
10. New, white shiny doors

Mother of a School Aged Child?

So I am entering a new phase of my life and I am unprepared for it.  Motherhood of a school aged child.  Really? When did I get here? Now I realize I am still a mother of a preschooler but we have had to think so much about kindergarten lately that I feel like the former. 

Tonight we had a conference for Logan's preschool. Granted it was only 15 minutes long and you basically look at colorings but it was still stressful.  I can only imagine what they will be like from now on.  My oldest is a May baby. He is also a May boy which I feel is different than a May girl.  I have really struggled with if he is ready for kindergarten or not.  Of course the best advice I heard is to do what feels right.  I am praying but I will admit, I am not good at waiting for answers. I begin to worry right away. Something I need to pray more about. 

I have heard that its always better to hold them back, no one ever regrets it. But then the school says he is ready and they said they never recommend holding back a May baby unless its necessary.  They reminded me that it could be a big deal when he is older and developing sooner than the other kids. My mom thinks its just me not wanting my baby to go to school. (I don't think so but you never know what your inner conscious is doing sometimes).

Its just hard to hear that your child is behind in a certain area or struggles with something.  Of course, they said he is bright, creative and sweet but I immediately focused on the negatives. Then started the deprocating self-talk. Its my fault. I don't help him enough. I need to work with him more. He gets this from me.  By the time we left, I was very downhearted. 

So as we drove away, I prayed.  I did not feel immediate relief but after a few distractions, I realized how silly I was being.  I mean its not like he wasn't performing. He can write his name and spell the name of everyone in our family.  He is already adding and subtracting. I couldn't do that at age 4. Plus, I was being one of those moms that I did not want to be. Overly critical and overly involved. I have always said what mattered most for me was my children's faith and values. They can be janitors for all I care as long as they love God and others.  So what was I worrying about? 

I have a feeling this is what I will have to look forward to next year. A lot of ups and downs as I get stressed one minute and then remember the big picture the next.  We do have him signed up for kindergarten. I will continue to pray. I will continue to take advice and I hope in August, we will be doing what is right. Either way.