How’d it go? Rylee looks terrified!
(Photo courtesy of Jaimee Lee)
How’d your child’s first day of school go? Was it harder on you or your child? Today was Rylee’s first day of Kindergarten! I can’t believe it. She has grown up here on the air at Kat Country 103. We documented my entire pregnancy with her while I was on the “DJ Walker in the Morning Show.” DJ even put me on the air the morning after my surgery, groggy and all. That’s radio dedication, never a day off! So it’s hard to be here almost 6 years later, leaving my little girl in the care of people other than family. She did Pre-K last year, but Kindergarten is a right of passage. It’s one of those important moments that you never forget about your children or your own childhood. As you can see, Rylee looks thrilled! But she has the beautiful gift of making friends easily so I know she will be fine. On the other hand it breaks my heart to walk away from that look on her face. There were a few kids crying, one little girl in particular had to be pried off her mother, while desperately grabbing at her sweater. It’s traumatic. Although my traumatic experience today wasn’t necessarily Rylee, it was my 3 year old, Lila. She was panicking that I was leaving her too. Glued to my leg I had to peel her off me like gum! She calmed down a bit when I leaned down and looked in her tear filled eyes, wiped her tears away and said it would be ok, she was going with Grandma. Mommy has to go to work. The tears started flowing again as she screamed “I want you Mommy, please don’t leave me” as she sadly waved goodbye. Which is what I get every time I tell her I have to go to work. It rips my heart in two. Being a working parents, we miss out on so much. First day of school makes me realize how much of their childhood I have missed out on. Although, I feel fortunate that my mother has helped us raise our children so if I couldn’t have that experience, I’m so thankful my Mother did. Rather than a stranger. I know when Lila goes to school and I leave her with a stranger for the first time, we both will be a mess. So I need parental advice. How did you deal with leaving your children in the trust of people you didn’t know? Whether babysitting or first day of school? How did you get through it and how did you make it an easier transition for your child? Help!
