School starts this week, and my wife and I are approaching a milestone we’ve been waiting for for many years: sending our oldest son to kindergarten. We bought our home more than eight years ago, a short walk from the elementary school, and remember saying to ourselves, “Our kids will be able to walk to school someday,” and here we are. What a whirlwind of emotions this moment has become. We’ve been busy with the logistical tasks of buying school shoes and sweatshirts for fall, ordering an overpriced gadget lunchbox from a social media influencer, and signing up for district communications portals. The logistical checklist brings fun and excitement. Still, as the big day approaches, I worry about the intangibles.
Have we taught him to be kind and considerate to others? Have we built his self-esteem enough to overcome teasing and bullying? Have we given him the tools he needs to succeed in school? And then there are the simplest things, like whether he eats his lunch so he won’t be hungry all day?
These questions have been running through my mind, but I know it’s time to take a deep breath and let him shine. This is his moment to step out into the world – a world we’ve tried to introduce him to slowly, but now he’s getting the chance to navigate it more independently. The world is a place of contrasts, with its dangers and challenges, but it’s also full of opportunity and joy. When my children step out, I want them to always know that our home is a sanctuary of love and safety.
Then there are new changes in our daily lives – a more timed and programmed rush. As we plan our upcoming appointments, we constantly find ourselves realising, “It’s a school day,” and now we have to take the school schedule into account when planning dentist appointments and family holidays.
And what about his younger brother? He’ll miss him during the long days, and so will I. It’s painful to know that our time together, just the four of us, is changing. While my wife is excited about this new phase of a daily break from the shackles of motherhood, I’m dealing with the bittersweet reality of our little boy growing up.
As I’ve quickly learned, each chapter of parenthood brings so much joy despite all the unknowns. There’s no playbook for these moments, no manual to prepare you for every milestone. Yet this uncertainty has its value. It reminds us that parenthood is a journey full of possibilities – not just for our children, but for us as parents too.
I remember having similar feelings at the beginning and end of preschool, and we managed to get through it while enjoying the present. So, here’s to embracing this new chapter. Our kids are ready, and so are we.
