I went through the car-rider line today to drop Patience at school. We talked about the hall and landmarks that lead to her hall that leads to her classroom. We reviewed the route three times. We talked about what to do if she feels lost or uncertain.I reiterated my confidence in her, her ability to do this, to be fine. She agreed.
We pulled up to the drop off spot. She jumped out of the car with her backpack and identifier tag. She walked to the entrance, looked at my (paused) car, gave a little wave, took a deep breath, put on her Resolute Face and walked in to the school.
I only had to yoga breathe for five minutes.
I have not called the school. She is fine.
And this afternoon she will be very blase on the outside and very proud on the inside that she---on her own---achieved another Big School goal.
Patience was never a child for "I do it myself" or "No! Me do it!" or "Back away Mama, I indepewent!" like Persistence is. She preferred babying, help, someone to do it for her. I've always had to push her out there to meet challenges. Each time I do so, I have to remind her about how she rose to the challenge and succeeded last time.
She's got her confidence and feet under her, and she always takes a deep breath and agrees she can do it.
Her favorite analogy is the Ferris Wheel.
She was so scared of going on that, and stuck to the baby rides: the little airplanes and carousel.
One day we said you will try it. So she did. And she loved it!
So now, when we bring up a challenge, she says, "I was scared of the Ferris Wheel and from the ground it looked too scary. But I got on it, and once I was there, it was fun. It's like that, Mom, isn't it?"
Baby. Big girl.
I don't get choked up taking her to school. I do get choked up at moments like these, the moments when she feels her wings, unfurls them, and takes off...albeit cautiously.
Next week, she'll tackle the lunch line.
Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
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Comments
Good for both of you!
You AND patience are brave girls, indeed.
Good for P!
And they make kindergarteners go through a lunch line? At our school, they get to eat in the safety of their classrooms, and hot lunch and milk are brought into them (remember what I said about moving up here! :))
BubTar's only school news so far is that he got his first kindergarten light change yesterday. Evidently, the hallway tiles are not for hopscotching on the way to library. ;)
But now, she is fully immersed in the "I can do it myself!" stage - another milestone that Bub has skipped. In one sense, he is very independent (in that he resists input or assistance with things he's trying to do), but in another sense he has very little urge to begin doing for himself the things we've always done for him: getting dressed, pouring cereal, etc.
I am and always was one of those hesitant and frightened types and I see this tendancy in my daughter as well. It worries me somewhat. Not that she won't find her strength and resources just like Patience. No, I worry she will miss some of the wonder and beauty, always focusing on the stress and anxiety like I did. But, as you wonderfully stated, when it comes easy, there is no sense of pride and accomplishment. Is it a positive trade off then?
Yes, most of the time I think so. But every so often I just long for that carefree feeling of enjoying the wind in my hair instead of stressing over how far away the ground is from my feet!!
Snoskred
http://www.snoskred.org/
She hides behind me while her brother charges forward.
I'm so familiar with the worries you've been sharing.
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susan
california dui